South Africa: Why Are the Lights Off At Prasa?

13 December 2018

R53 million worth of solar lighting equipment was purchased four years ago to improve security at Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) depots. Yet it still appears to be sitting unused in a warehouse, a consequence of disregard for procurement procedures and a squabble between companies.

The waste of money and resources is just part of the bungling of a 2013 tender PRASA awarded to SA Fence & Gate which escalated from R209 million to R317 million. The initial R209 million tender was to provide fencing and related security at eight PRASA depots. This contract was then extended by R47 million when SA Fence & Gate submitted a request due to variations on the project. It was extended by a further R61 million to include solar powered lighting around the perimeter to ensure CCTV cameras would be able to detect any intruders at night.

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