Gxasheka denies allegations of interference in multi-million-rand tender

The Ekurhuleni municipality’s suspended head of human resources (HR) has denied she played a role in the awarding of a R3.7 million tender to the wife of suspected crime boss Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala.

Linda Gxasheka was back before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry on Friday.

In November 2023, the metro awarded a skills training tender to Buena Vista Learning Academy, which was owned by Tsakane Baloyi, who now goes by Tsakane Matlala.

The tender was initially for R66 000 but ballooned to over R3 million.

Evidence leader Matthew Chaskalson says there were at least 10 irregularities with the tender bid of Buena Vista Learning Academy.

This includes no accreditation, fraudulent documents and the fact that just a few days before the company applied for the tender, it was registered as Mokoko Lounge, a buy-and-braai business.

Chaskalson also produced a letter from a junior HR employee who accused Gxasheka of interfering in the tender.

However, Gxasheka has denied this, saying she only played an oversight role in the matter as per her job description.

"It's not correct. I am going to reiterate; I was not involved in the BAC (Bid Adjudication Committee) or the BEC (Bid Evaluation Committee). In fact, she is blatantly lying here.”

The commission continues on Monday.

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