The Free State Government has reportedly spent R140 million to redesign their website over a period of three years. The deal was signed off by director general Elzabe Rockman, who now claims that the tender was for R40 million and not the reported R140 million.

The basic WordPress theme on which the site was built costs a hefty $40. That’s R360.

Screengrab via Mail & Guardian

It was reported by the Sowetan that the bid had been accepted despite two other companies who came in with much lower offers. Businessman, Tumi Ntsele was awarded the tender, and allegedly holds tenders with several other provincial departments.

Etionee Bruwer, owner of web development company, Jam Factory, told newspapers that this alleged amount was “ridiculous.” To which Ntsele responded, very maturely, that the opposition had an agenda against black businessmen.

Bruwer said that the company working on the site was probably making a profit of R3,5 million a month and that the most it would cost for a website was R12 million where the institution would need to protect sensitive information.

[Source: Timelive, Mail&Guardian]