South Africa: R31m Mobile Vet Clinics Deal Leaves Government With Nothing

What the report says

A long-running South African government project to provide mobile veterinary clinics has come under scrutiny after a R31-million contract reportedly left the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development with no completed buses more than a decade later. The article, published by Daily Maverick and distributed by AllAfrica, says Centurion Bus Manufacturers won the contract in July 2015 to buy and convert seven buses into mobile veterinary clinics, but none had been delivered 11 years on.

According to the report, findings by the Auditor-General of South Africa and investigations by amaBhungane point to questionable procurement processes, delays and contract irregularities. The article says about R26-million was paid between September 2015 and April 2016, even though the company had not provided proof of contract insurance, which was required under the agreement. It also says auditors warned about the arrangement and later ordered remedial steps.

The report adds that lawyers for Centurion Bus Manufacturers said there is pending litigation involving the company and the department, and that the issues raised are part of that case. The matter matters because it highlights how weak safeguards in public procurement can result in substantial spending with little public benefit, especially in projects meant to improve service delivery in rural areas. As presented in the report, the case remains unresolved and under legal dispute.