GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - The Beyers Naudé municipality may find itself in a legal tussle with an advertising and branding specialist after rewarding the tender to a company who charged nearly R500 000 more for the same job. 

Gerrit van Wyk of Buzz Projects tendered for the municipality's rebranding with their tender bid amounting to R280 000 exclusive of vat.

Van Wyk said the tender was awarded to an engineering consulting company for approximately R770 000, exclusive of vat.

"I have asked the municipality a number of times why my bid was not successful, but they're not providing any answers," said van Wyk.

Van Wyk appointed Jacques du Preez attorneys, who have sent two letters to the municipal manager, dr Eddie Rankwana.

The letters were sent on 15 May and 25 June. "We haven't received any reply from the municipal manager."

Van Wyk said he is considering legal action against the municipality.

"I'm not upset that I wasn't awarded the tender. I merely want to know why they paid half-a-million more to another company," van Wyk said.

The chairperson for the Graaff-Reinet Residents' and Ratepayers' Association (GRRPA), Liz Buisman said the amount of money in question, is alarming.
Buisman said she had spoken to high ranking officials at the municipality who confirmed there are various internal investigations pending.

"The municipality is aware of the matter and promised to look into it," said Buisman. She said the main concern is that the municipality announced that it does not have funds for service delivery.

"Somewhere in the organisation, there is a gap in information."

The acting municipal spokesperson Edwardine Abader said the Dr Beyers Naudé municipality cannot comment on the matter.
"I was advised that at this stage, the municipality can't provide any comment," said Abader. 

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