The Turkish-led consortium has, in court papers, denied any involvement in corruption. It hit back at accuser DNG Power Holdings – asking why, if DNG was aware of corruption, it said nothing until its bid was disqualified.
Daily Maverick 168 weekly newspaper.
AmaBhungane’s investigation shows how the Turkish-led consortium was tipped as a preferred bidder for an estimated R225-billion energy deal, and “was dealt an extraordinary series of aces during the tender process”.
These “trump cards”, amaBhungane reported in an article that appeared on their own website as well as on Daily Maverick and News24, demonstrated how the unlikely scenario emerged that had “permitted temporary leases of second-hand ships to qualify as ‘greenfield projects’ and magically meet a 40% local content threshold during ‘construction’ despite the fact they are foreign-built”.
After years of waiting, the successful bidders of the Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (RMI4P) were announced by Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe in March. But even non-participants in the energy sector were bewildered by how foreign-owned floating power stations had won the lion’s share
In a world transitioning to net zero carbon emissions, should South Africa push on to become an oil and gas leader, as proclaimed by Minister Gwede Mantashe?
Power politics: Gwede Mantashe insists on fossil fuels dailymaverick.co.za - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from dailymaverick.co.za Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
MONEYWEB
LIVESTREAM
Minister cryptically warns of people who want to ‘make quick money’. 00:01
Open:
Gwede Mantashe denies wrongdoing in powership controversy. Image: GCIS
Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe broke from his prepared departmental budget speech to cryptically address issues in the countryâs plans to use liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a power source to supplement its energy needs.
The plan to use powerships fuelled by LNG has attracted controversy, as there are accusations that the bidding process for the Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme has been repeatedly adjusted to favour the bid of Turkish-based Karpowership.