DA queries libraries’ R39m internet deal

A R39 MILLION contract apparently awarded by the KZN Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) to provide internet access at public libraries in the province has been questioned by the DA.

The party has called on the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to investigate following an apparent three-year contract awarded to Emalangeni Technologies, a company based in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga.

Spearheading the fight is Bradley Singh, a DA member of the provincial legislature and its spokesperson on arts and culture in KZN.

According to his calculations there are about 170 libraries in KZN funded by the department. It means each is paying about R6400 a month for an internet connection.

“The DA regards the value of this contract as outrageous. This is ridiculous when there are internet service providers that charge R399 a month for uncapped data. The amount paid to this company is probably enough to supply internet connectivity to every library in the country,” he said.

Singh wants Hlengiwe Mavimbela, the MEC for Arts and Culture, to provide information as to which libraries in the province will have access to the internet. He is concerned that some rural areas may be paying for a service they do not receive.

According to Singh, the Auditor-General (AG) has already red-flagged the department for not being able to prove that all KZN libraries have internet connections.

“This is just one of the many reasons why the department is yet to receive a clean audit. The DA has also, on numerous occasions, called on Sihle Zikalala, the KZN premier, to fire MEC Mavimbela as a result of ongoing scandals which point to fraud and corruption.”

A week ago, the POST contacted Phathisa Mfuyo, spokesperson for the department. She asked that the query be emailed but had not responded.

POST then contacted Msawakhe Nyadi, acting director of GCIS (the Government Communication and Information System) in KZN.

He undertook to contact Mfuyo but said she could not be reached at the time of publication.

Lennox Mabaso, the provincial government spokesperson, was also contacted for comment regarding the allegations. However, there was no response by deadline.

Several attempts were also made to get clarity from Emalangeni Technologies, but they declined to comment. According to their website, Emalangeni Technologies was established in 2009.

It focuses on website development, software development, graphic design, computer hardware and software troubleshooting, and networking solutions.

According to their Facebook page, they are a black-owned service web design company.

“We are a business providing technology services and solutions to both large and small companies, optimising organisational performance by mapping strategic goals and objectives to IT initiatives.”