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Polokwane - A multimillion rand government tender has been delayed in Limpopo after a tender box was blown up at the provincial education department's offices in Polokwane.
"It is alleged that on May 26 [Tuesday] at around 23:00, a charcoal Mercedez-Benz entered the department and deposited documents in the tender box," said police spokesperson Colonel Ronel Otto.
"Within minutes of leaving, the tender box exploded. Nothing was taken but all tender documents in the box were ripped and scattered."
The explosion happened at the department's offices on the corner of Excelsior and Hospital streets.
According to the department, the tender submission deadline for the National School Nutritional Programme was Wednesday.
Successful bidders were meant to be selected and announced after the bidding period closed.
The R870m tender was for supplying food to at least 3 000 schools, including special-need schools.
Sabotage
Education spokesperson Paena Galane said the department said the sabotage, while delaying the announcement of successful bidders, would not hinder it as they had the details of prospective bidders.
"At the moment all those who have already submitted the documents we will advise in due course, and that still having documents on their hands they must hold their documents for now,” he said.
“We will contact them to make sure that information reaches them.”
He said the blast was an act by people who did not understand the normal procurement process.
"People must understand that in other provinces, the programme is operating well. [It] is just a situation we don’t understand, and it has never been heard of," he said.
“It can’t be coincidence on the last day of the bid, [the tender box] explodes. It makes no sense. If they thought we are cancelling, they are in for a big shock. Those who have already submitted, we will have a direct communication on how and when to submit."
Otto said no arrests have been made.
Police were investigating.
