By Musa Mdluli

MBABANE:Themba Khumalo, the removed Managing Director of the Eswatini Post and Telecommunications Corporation(EPTC) has been reported to the Tender Evaluation Committee for allegedly using fraudulent means to award a R2.1million tender to Yati Marketing.

Companies who tendered to provide advertising services to the State owned telecommunications company include Ndabathole Investments and Neogen Media, they filed a complaint against the removed Managing Director and Chief Marketing Officer Khulile Dlamini accusing them of colluding to manipulate the tendering process with an alleged intention to award the said tender to Yati Marketing.

It is alleged that, Khumalo and the Chief Marketing Officer awarded the tender to Yati Marketing despite the fact that, Yati Marketing failed to comply with the tender requirements and rules including respecting the deadline.

“In light of these findings, we respectfully request an immediate review of the evaluation and award process. A suspension of the award to TBWA t/a YATI pending investigation. Consideration for re-evaluation of all compliant tenders in line with procurement law and fairness”, reads a letter in part signed by Nokubonga Mdluli from Neogen Media.

Acting Managing Director Lungile Nxumalo declined to comment about the matter.

Reached for comments by this Swaziland News on Wednesday afternoon, Yati Marketing Managing Director Mfundo Mavimbela confirmed knowledge of the concerns raised against his company but clarified that, these concerns are being addressed by EPTC.

“I am aware of the concerns but they are being addressed by EPTC. The process of awarding the tender hasn’t been fully completed, EPTC is addressing the concerns by the other companies who wanted the same tender,” he said.