Durban – The SA National Roads Agency Ltd (Sanral) has provided evidence of compliance to address ongoing claims of irregularities and non-compliance regarding the award of tenders to joint ventures (JVs) with Chinese companies.
In a statement on Sunday, Sanral said claims were made that the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) status for China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) has expired.
Sanral said there appeared to be confusion between CSCEC Southern Africa, which was different from CSCEC South Africa.
CSCEC South Africa has the following credentials, according to CIDB records:
CRS Number: 10092658
Grade: 9CE
Expiry: 21/2/2023
Sanral said it was also claimed that the enterprise status of Mota Engil Construction South Africa (Mecsa) was listed as “deregistered”.
“Again, Mecsa Construction is the company that forms part of the JV that won one of the bids, and it has the following credentials according to CIDB records.”
CRS Number: 157304
Grade: 9CE
Expiry: 11/03/2024
Sanral said Mota Engil Construction South Africa has been wrongly confused with Mecsa Construction.
“Sanral reiterates its position that proper processes were followed in the award of the four tenders in question. The tenders were adjudicated by the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) in a fair and transparent process where any and all eligible South African companies had the opportunity to submit a compliant tender.”
Vusi Mona, Sanral communications and marketing GM, said the apparent obsession with discrediting the process and perpetuating an anti-Asian narrative is not useful.
Mona said South Africa enjoys fraternal relations with China within BRICS and China is one of the country’s largest trading partners.
He said South African law does not prohibit any foreign company from doing business in the country.
“We hope that having supplied the portfolio of evidence that reflects the compliance and eligibility of the companies which won the tenders, will put this matter to rest so we can get on with responding to our core mandate, to develop and maintain the national road network,” said Mona.