Airports Firm South Africa (Acsa), the state-owned enterprise that runs the nation’s largest industrial airports, has positioned its CIO on precautionary suspension.
In a press release early on Friday, Acsa stated the suspension of the CIO – whose identify is thought to TechCentral – turned efficient on Thursday, 8 August.
The CIO was suspended after Acsa discovered there was “prima facie proof of wrongdoing” in relation to an enormous biometric and digital identification expertise challenge.
“In Could 2022, Acsa launched into a procurement course of for the Automated Border Management (ABC) challenge, e-Gates and single token for a interval of 60 months,” the airports operator defined within the assertion. “The method culminated within the appointment of a French multinational expertise firm, Idemia, and a contract to the worth of R115-million was concluded.
“The contract required that no less than 30% of the worth be subcontracted to a South African, black-owned exempted micro enterprise (EME) and/or certified small enterprise (QSE).
“As such, the profitable bidder had a teaming settlement with an area firm referred to as InfoVerge as its black-owned EME/QSE associate for functions of complying with EME/QSE necessities within the RFP (request for proposals,” it stated.
Deadlock
“Nevertheless, Acsa turned conscious of an deadlock between Idemia and InfoVerge and engaged each corporations with a view to fostering an amicable decision within the curiosity of delivering on the contract. Acsa was happy that the 2 enterprise companions would work collectively within the supply of the required providers.
“Regardless of Acsa’s efforts, the 2 enterprise companions couldn’t attain an amicable decision. This resulted in InfoVerge approaching the excessive court docket … looking for reduction to put aside Acsa’s determination to award the tender for the supply of the ABC challenge to Idemia. Within the court docket papers, Acsa was cited as a second respondent. Acsa is at present contemplating choices in relation to the contract for the supply of the ABC challenge, e-Gates and single token that has been entered into with Idemia.”
Hearken to a press release by Acsa spokesman Ernest Mulibana:
Final Saturday, Acsa launched a media a press release during which it refuted claims raised within the excessive court docket case that there have been irregularities within the firm’s procurement processes.
“This was certainly true primarily based on the data we had on the time and statements issued by these concerned within the challenge. We have now since undertaken a preliminary investigation and have now discovered that there’s prima facie proof of wrongdoing in relation to the biometric and digital identification expertise challenge,” it stated.
“It’s on this foundation that the CIO has been positioned on precautionary suspension. The precautionary suspension is to permit Acsa to conduct additional investigation and report again to the general public on our findings.” — © 2024 NewsCentral Media
