SMMEs get cold shoulder it seems

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Concerns have been raised around the apparent failure of the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality's (DBNLM) LED office to promote and develop small, medium and micro-enterprises (SMMEs).

At the time, Jason Hendricks (Mpondo Security Services) and Ralton Salters (Eyona Fire & Security Services) believed that the tender specifications for the supplying of security services in the DBNLM were designed to exclude small upcoming businesses.

Another local SMME now feel that they have been prevented from participating in the local economy.

According to Mangaliso Tsepo Sobukwe, Mjazu Trading (Pty) Ltd also applied for a wayleave for the installation of fibre in Graaff-Reinet.

Given the municipality's financial challenges Mjazu Trading, through its joint venture with Arque Supplies (Pty) Ltd, would have installed their fibre network without the municipality having to incur any cost. Sobukwe says that Mjazu Trading and Herotel made their presentations to the municipality on the same day and were told that they will be informed of the outcome the next day.

Similarly, Mjazu Trading never received any feedback.

Sobukwe was sent from pillar to post when he attempted to enquire into the status of the application. Sobukwe remembers that some counsellors, the municipal manager, Zoleka Khali, Gerrar Maya, Sinethemba Mbotya, and Luthando Mandla attended the meeting where Mjazu Trading made their presentation.

He cannot recall the presence of Albe van der Westhuyzen, the so-called "consultant" of the municipality who allegedly "features prominently in the municipality's ostensible reason for refusing to issue a wayleave to Herotel."

Given the nature and extent of the allegations against Van der Westhuyzen, Sobukwe is convinced that Mjazu Trading "never stood a chance."

Sobukwe says he feels defeated by the latest developments, particularly since he was made to believe that Mjazu Trading's application was received and considered favourably.

"When I heard these guys had started digging, I just felt tired."

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