Papers for Thabazimbi R53m paving tender raise questions

The committee files contain several inconsistencies

- By Setumo Stone

Documents behind a R52.9-million paving tender at Thabazimbi Local Municipality in Limpopo show conflicting tender numbers, unclear interest declarations and minutes signed weeks after the winning company accepted the job.

The tender, listed as TECH/03/2024-25, was for the “Regorogile Ext 8 Paving of Street Phase 1”.

According to a letter dated June 9, 2025, MES Major Projects/Avenir Civil and Construction JV wrote to municipal manager GC Letsoalo to say it accepted an appointment dated June 6, 2025. The letter, signed by Musa Sambo for the joint venture, placed the contract value at “R52 999 146.97” and said the work would take 12 months.

The adjudication committee minutes say 24 bidders submitted bids and only four met the requirements. MES Major Projects JV Avenir Civil and Construction scored the highest and was recommended to the municipal manager for appointment.