Dear Councillor Kuhl

As the situation in the Zandvlei deteriorates as summer progresses, and the existing weedharvester has been inoperable for months because of maintenance issues and now marine safety issues, we have some questions about the delivery of the new weedharvester.

A letter (26 May 2021) from Michael Killick, Director Bulk Services, in response to the initial Save The Zandvlei Petition stated:

“the tender for the new weed harvester tender has been awarded. The MOA was signed and the vendor has indicated that the anticipated delivery date is December 2021 / January 2022.”

In addition, an email (4 August 2021) from Caitlin Montague, Executive Support Officer, Water and Waste, stated:

‘Delivery (of the new weedharvester) is expected in early 2022. Tender was awarded in June to Venor, who indicated the work would take 6 months to complete. This has been communicated to all official community groups. Detail will be provided in due course.’

However, a trawl through the City’s website reveals that Tender no. 31BG/2D19/20 for the supply of aquatic weed harvesters was issued on 7 December 2020 to Veecraft Marine (Pty) Ltd.

1.       If the tender was issued in December 2020, and delivery was expected in 6 months, the weed harvester ought to have been delivered by now. Please can you explain the delay?

2.       Can you further assure us that the revised delivery date is on schedule for December 2021/January 2022.

3.       Veecraft Marine is an existing company, but our research has not revealed any company called Venor. Was the tender issued and then withdrawn and issued to another company?

As the City has a bewildering number of departments, and it is often difficult to establish to whom one should address a particular query, I should be grateful if you would investigate these queries on our behalf, and/or point this email to the correct recipient.

 Kind regards

Save The Zandvlei Petitioners.