Latest news with #tenders
News24
6 days ago
- Business
- News24
Hawks raid Prasa HQ, seize executives' laptops, phones in R18bn tender probe
The Hawks have seized the laptops and mobile phones of Prasa's top executives. Sources said the police seized the devices of Prasa's chief executive officer, chief procurement officer, head of legal, and chief financial officer. The Hawks are investigating allegations of corruption in connection with two R18-billion train signalling equipment tenders. The Hawks seized devices belonging to senior executives of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa during an operation on Wednesday afternoon. A team from the Specialised Commercial Crime Unit of the Hawks conducted the operation at Prasa's headquarters in Braamfontein. Sources told News24 that the team seized laptops, mobile phones, and documents belonging to acting chief executive officer Hishaam Emeran, chief procurement officer Asif Rehman, head of legal Nompumelelo Gamedze-Phasha, and chief financial officer Brian Alexander. Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Thandi Mbambo said: 'An operation was conducted as part of an ongoing investigation. To protect the integrity of our investigation, we cannot disclose details pertaining to that operation.' A senior Prasa executive, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told News24 that the operation was in connection with two controversial R18-billion train signalling equipment contracts. In a series of exposés, News24 reported that in May and July 2023, Prasa awarded two R18-billion train signalling equipment tenders to Maziya General Services, owned by Gauteng businessman Chris Delport and his Chinese partners. It's alleged that Prasa's board and its executives awarded the contracts to the companies even though they did not meet crucial and mandatory requirements, such as being tax compliant and possessing bid bonds. Following News24's reports, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy appointed law firm Webber Wentzel to investigate the allegations. Webber Wentzel recently concluded its investigation and handed a report to Creecy. In an interview with News24 early in July, Creecy said she would comment on the report in due course. 'I am still studying it. I am not commenting. When we are ready to comment on that report, we will,' she said. At the time, she also told News24 that she did not have any reason not to have confidence Prasa's board.
Zawya
23-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Qatar: Total value of tenders issued by govt entities surge by 111% to $3.18bln
Doha: Qatar's economy stands as one of the most robust within the region as it gives considerable attention to national economic diversification. The country recognises the importance of balancing its economic policies which aim to create a diversified national economy while strengthening its natural resources. The Ministry of Finance posted on its X platform yesterday, the total value of tenders and auctions issued by the government entities reached QR11.6bn in the second quarter (Q2) of this year. This shows a surge of 111 percent in the value of projects compared to same period in last year when the total value of tenders and auctions was QR5.5bn. Meanwhile the number of awarded tenders, practices, and direct agreement totaled 791 representing an increase of 21.7 percent in the number of projects. The post further stated that the total value of QR8.6bn and QR3bn worth of tenders were awarded to local and foreign companies respectively. This shows an increase of 91.11 percent in the value of contracts with local companies and 200 percent jump in the value of contracts with the foreign companies compared to the same quarter last year. In Q2 last year, QR4.5bn tenders were awarded to local companies which represented a decrease in the value of contracts with by 13.5 percent compared to Q2 2023 and QR1bn tenders were awarded to foreign companies, an increase of 67 percent compared to the same quarter of 2023. According to the data by the Ministry of Finance the top four sectors by Sector Activity Index in the second quarter of 2025 were Municipality of environment, health, energy, and transportation and communications. Meanwhile in first quarter of 2025 the total value of government procurement contracts executed through tenders and auctions by public entities during Q1 of this year amounted to approximately QR6.4bn. Contracts awarded to foreign companies totaled around QR1.5bn, marking a 50 percent increase compared to Q1 2024. The top four sectors according to the Business Activity Index during Q1 2025 were municipality and environment, health, energy, and the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers. Last week, Qatar's general budget was announced by the Ministry of Finance which recorded a deficit of QR0.8bn during Q2 2025 (April, May, and June). The deficit was covered through debt instruments. The total revenues for Q2 2025 stood at approximately QR59.8bn, reflecting a 0.1 percent decrease compared to Q2 2024. These revenues comprised QR34bn in oil and gas revenues and QR25.8bn in non-oil revenues. The total public expenditure during Q2 2025 amounted to roughly QR60.6bn, registering a 5.7 percent increase compared to Q2 2024. The expenditure was allocated as follows: QR18.334bn for salaries and wages, QR21.925bn for current expenditures, QR17.507bn for major capital expenditures, and QR2.838bn for minor capital expenditures. The Third National Development Strategy (NDS-3) focuses on four main sectors that will drive the economic growth and help in diversification in industry, tourism, logistics and transportation, technology and AI sectors. Qatar is actively spending on infrastructure and building projects at present focused on high-quality road networks and state-of-the-art facilities, in addition to numerous big projects in the construction realm attracting tourists and investors. © Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Zawya
21-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Board awards tenders worth $325.20mln in Bahrain
Bahrain - The Tender Board awarded a total of 119 tenders, renewals, and change orders on behalf of 37 government entities in May, amounting to a total value of BD122.62 million. The top five government bodies in terms of the value of tenders awarded are: The Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) topping the list with BD46.38m, accounting for 37.8 per cent of the total value of awarded tenders, followed by Bapco Refining with BD25.77m (21.02pc), and the Information and eGovernment Authority with BD11.52m (9.4pc). The Works Ministry came fourth with BD9.48m (7.74pc), while Bapco Upstream ranked fifth with BD6.4m (5.24pc). The board awarded 18 tenders for EWA, including a tender for Water Transmission Directorate valued at BD25m, a tender to build a 44 MWp solar photovoltaic (SPV) power plant under the Capex model at Bahrain University campus at BD8.3m and a tender to provide consultancy services for Belaj Al Jazaer IPP solar farm project valued at BD460,000. There were also eight tenders awarded in May for the Works Ministry, including a tender for Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club road Access - Section 2, valued at BD7m and a tender for replacing the existing air-cooled chillers and boundary wall repair works at Isa Cultural Centre, valued at BD264,000. Copyright 2022 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Free Malaysia Today
18-07-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
4 nabbed in RM180mil Johor data centre project bribery probe
The four suspects being brought to the Putrajaya magistrates' court for a remand hearing today. PETALING JAYA : The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission has remanded a manager from a construction company, along with his wife and two company directors, over suspected corruption involving procurement tenders for the construction of a RM180 million data centre in Johor. All the suspects were arrested in an operation carried out by MACC in the Klang Valley yesterday, during which the agency seized about RM7.5 million in cash from the home of the manager. 'The money is believed to be from bribes paid to the manager in exchange for securing six project procurement tenders,' said a source. The source said the manager is believed to have asked for a 2.5% commission for each procurement tender obtained by the two companies involved. Magistrate Irza Zulaikha Rohanuddin granted a seven-day remand order until July 24 for the manager, while his wife will be remanded for three days until July 21. The two company directors will be remanded for five days until July 22 following MACC's remand application at the Putrajaya magistrates' court this morning. MACC deputy chief commissioner Ahmad Khusairi Yahaya confirmed the arrests of the suspects, aged between 40 and 60.
Zawya
10-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Minister De Lille addresses South Africa Tourism tender allegations
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has issued a statement in response to reports of serious procurement irregularities at South African Tourism, which are linked to tenders for hosting flagship trade events. The allegations, first reported by City Press and News24, have dominated headlines since the weekend, raising concerns over public accountability within the tourism sector. "I have noted with deep concern the media reports published by City Press and News24 on the allegations of serious procurement irregularities at South African Tourism, specifically relating to tenders linked to the hosting of flagship trade events," said De Lille. 'I take these allegations extremely seriously. Tourism is a vital part of our economy, and we must uphold the highest standards of ethical governance and public accountability.' Clarification on tender status De Lille confirmed that she had been informed by South African Tourism that no tender to the value of R100m had been awarded. She further stated: "South African Tourism commissioned two independent firms (Chapu Chartered Accountants and Abacus Financial Crime Advisory) to conduct a probity and forensic review of the tender process. "Their findings were received, reviewed, and informed internal consequence management actions. I have been informed by South African Tourism that the cost of both audits were less than R1m." According to a Tourism Update report, the audits were allegedly commissioned after scoring by bid evaluation committee members was manipulated in favour of a particular service provider. SA Tourism has denied turning a blind eye, asserting that action was taken through internal consequence management and disciplinary processes, while stressing that no single R100m tender was ever awarded. Disciplinary actions in progress 'Officials implicated in procedural violations were removed from procurement committees as part of an internal disciplinary process initiated in 2024. Disciplinary processes are underway,' the statement continued. De Lille addressed claims that South African Tourism denied the existence of the forensic reports: 'Media claims that South African Tourism denied the existence of the reports are misleading. At no point were the reports denied; rather, the matter is under legal processes as the completeness and admissibility of certain findings were contested.' Ministerial briefing delays Lastly, the Minister noted concern that she had not been timeously briefed on the media inquiry regarding the matter. 'It is regrettable that I was not briefed on the media inquiry from City Press at the time it was received. I have since requested a further briefing from the South African Tourism Board and expect full cooperation in ensuring transparency going forward,' De Lille concluded. Allegations around tourism monitors tender Separate procurement concerns have also surfaced relating to the Department of Tourism's R174.5m Tourism Monitors Programme (TMP). According to BusinessTech, a manipulated tender process is alleged around a contract awarded for work at KwaZulu-Natal's Ezemvelo Nature Reserve. A bidder who initially led scoring was later sidelined after the department controversially amended tender requirements, allowing a previously disqualified company to secure the contract. The department has confirmed these allegations are under investigation. A Travel and Tour World report similarly flagged concerns, stating that the alleged irregularities have raised unease within the sector about how safety tenders intended to protect tourists and empower unemployed youth are being managed. The publication also noted that opposition parties have called for a full audit of the Tourism Monitors Programme and tighter oversight over tender processes. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
