PRETORIA – The City of Tshwane has told Eyewitness News it will be investigating suspicious tenders granted by the previous administration worth nearly R4 billion.

Tshwane Mayor Solly Msimanga announced soon after taking office that he would subject several contracts to thorough audits to establish if any criminality led to them being awarded

Msimanga opened criminal cases two weeks ago against three senior officials who’d been implicated in forensic audit investigations, which had been abandoned by the previous administration.

A R3 billion smart meter tender, a R380 million Wi-Fi contract, a R300 million vehicle fleet contract and a R200 million broadband contract have been identified as being potentially the product of corruption.

The city’s Matthew Gerstern says the contracts will be audited to identify irregularities, corruption, kick-backs and value for money.

If any wrongdoing is found, Msimanga will look to renegotiate or cancel the contracts if need be.

The city has not yet provided a timeline for the investigations to be completed.

Last week, Msimanga announced that henceforth all tender bid adjudication meetings will be open to the public.

(Edited by Leeto M Khoza)