SOUTH Africa’s biggest landline services provider, Telkom, has refuted allegations in the media pertaining to irregularities in its tender processes.
In its response Telkom announced the appointment of KPMG to investigate the allegations.
“Pursuant to the same publication’s initial article in early December 2008, which were clarified and corrected at the time, reported unfounded allegations and inaccuracies in respect to a Telkom tender for the provision of a critical system to supply end-to-end solutions for point-to-point split mount radio equipment, have again surfaced,” said Pynee Chetty Telkom SA Ltd Group Communication, Branding and Media Relations manager.
Chetty added that auditing firm KPMG had been appointed to investigate some alleged irregularities.
“Furthermore, the Company is in constant consultation with organised labour and with regards to the allegation that the Communication Workers’ Union (CWU) has called ‘for a probe into alleged corruption’ the agreement with CWU is that Telkom would manage this issue internally. The Company’s CEO has taken the initiative to ensure due process and compliance to all governance matters. KPMG has been appointed to investigate internal processes.”
Chetty said that Telkom had complied with regulations governing tendering processes.
“Telkom re-iterates that its tender processes are extremely stringent and that the Company boasts a proud record of compliance to King 2 and Sarbanes-Oxley governance procedures.
“To ensure the continuation of compliance with governance procedures as well as fairness and transparency with regards to current and future tender processes, Telkom’s CEO (and not the Board) has appointed KPMG to independently audit certain aspects of the Company’s procurement processes.”—ITNewsAfrica.
