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Eleven years on, the Department of Agriculture’s R26m mobile vet clinics remain undelivered —

Daily Maverick · 🇿🇦 public South Africa · · 1977 words · By Buyeleni Sibanyoni
Government corruption Public Procurement Failure Lack of Accountability
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What to know about Government corruption

In July 2015, Centurion Bus Manufacturers (CBM) scored a R31-million contract to buy and convert seven buses into mobile veterinarian clinics for the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD).

Claims checked 24
Techniques found 2
Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left0%
Center86%
Right14%

7 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

In July 2015, Centurion Bus Manufacturers (CBM) scored a R31-million contract to buy and convert seven buses into mobile veterinarian clinics for the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD).

Why it matters

Eleven years later, the CBM has delivered not one of the seven buses.

Common ground

Approached for comment, lawyers acting for the company told amaBhungane: “Kindly take note that there is pending litigation between the CBM and [DALRRD]...

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Exaggeration / Hyperbole: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-08-05-r31m-mobile-vet-clinics-deal-…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 2 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning
Loaded Language 80% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.
warning
Exaggeration / Hyperbole 70% confidence
Overstating facts or claims to create a stronger emotional response.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing exaggeration / hyperbole helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 24 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

schedule Pending 14
info Single Source 7
cancel Disputed 1
check_circle Corroborated 1
help Insufficient Evidence 1
schedule
Claim 1: “On 10 July 2019, the Auditor-General and two department officials met with the CBM”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 2: “the department told amaBhungane the project manager who signed off on the payments died in May 2016.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
cancel
Claim 3: “the chairperson of the bid adjudication committee was named as a Mr JB Hlatshwayo.”
DISPUTED
One source (Collins Sebola Financial Services v SAFRI) identifies a 'Mr. Dumisa Hlatshwayo' as Chairperson of the Bid Adjudication Committee and CFO. The claim names 'Mr JB Hlatshwayo'. While they share a surname and role, the first names differ (Dumisa vs Jacob Basil), creating a contradiction/dispute in identity.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — [9] The sixth respondent is Mr. Dumisa Hlatshwayo (“Hlatshwayo”) who is cited in his capacity as Chairperson of the Bid Adjudication Committee of the first respondent. He is also the Chief Financial O…
https://www.saflii.org/za/cases/ZAGPPHC/2021/13.html
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — 1. Who was the members of the Bid Adjudication Committee for the mentioned financial year(s)? 2. Provide reasons why the committee was not composed in terms of the regulation for supply chain manageme…
https://www.polity.org.za/article/who-was-the-bid-adjudicati…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — But the bid adjudication committee was left with little choice by the evaluation committee chaired by Ramasodi: they disqualified all seven other bidders, leaving only CBM standing. Collusion? As earl…
https://www.news24.com/southafrica/news/amabhungane-mobile-v…
schedule
Claim 4: “In total, the Department paid the CBM R26,854,411”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 5: “The first infringement was an R8-million payment on 25 September 2015, followed by two tranches of R3-million, paid on 5 October and 25 November 2015, respectively.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
info
Claim 6: “Between September 2015 and April 2016, the department paid out about R26-million of the contract value, despite the fact that the CBM did not adhere to the contractual terms by providing proof of contract insurance.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The claim is explicitly stated in the News24/amaBhungane article. However, no other independent source provided in the evidence confirms this specific financial transaction or the lack of insurance.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Crime in South Africa includes all violent and non-violent crimes that take place in the country of South Africa, or otherwise within its jurisdiction. When compared to other countries, South Africa h…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_in_South_Africa
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Between September 2015 and April 2016, the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries paid out about R26 million of the contract value, despite the fact that CBM did not adhere to the contractu…
https://www.news24.com/southafrica/news/amabhungane-mobile-v…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — William D. Gann (1878-1955) was a legendary trader who designed several unique techniques for analyzing price charts. He developed a unique combination of precise mathematical and geometric principles…
https://brameshtechanalysis.com/2021/09/25/gann-price-time-s…
+ 1 more evidence source
schedule
Claim 7: “In 2016 it instituted a high court action to compel the supplier to perform, but the summons was never delivered.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 8: “There were eight bids that responded to the invitation by the department.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 9: “In the 2019 report, the Auditor-General noted that the matter had indeed been reported by the department in 2016, however no response was received”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
check_circle
Claim 10: “Ramasodi was then the department’s deputy director-general for Agricultural Production, Health and Food Safety and now has risen to become director-general.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple independent sources confirm Mooketsa Ramasodi's role. 'Food For Mzansi' confirms he was the deputy director-general for agricultural production, health and food safety, and 'SA Grain' and the official Department of Agriculture contact page confirm he is/was the Director-General.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Contacts 1. Mr Mooketsa Ramasodi Director-General: Department of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development 012 312 8503 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript ena…
https://www.nda.gov.za/index.php/about-us/director-general
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — He has been the deputy director-general for agricultural production, health and food safety and natural resource management, and he has served in various roles in the agricultural sector. According to…
https://www.foodformzansi.co.za/didiza-announces-new-directo…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — As the acting director-general in the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), Mooketsa Ramasodi has the mammoth task of ensuring compliance with agricultural legislation…
https://sagrainmag.co.za/2021/02/26/sector-has-potential-to-…
info
Claim 11: “Eleven years later, the CBM has delivered not one of the seven buses.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The News24/amaBhungane report mentions that clinics worth R26m are 'still [missing/undelivered]', but there is no second independent source confirming that zero of the seven buses were delivered over eleven years.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Superior Industries was an Australian bus body builder in Brendale, Brisbane.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superior_(bus_manufacturer)
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Centurion Transport Engineering was an Australian bus bodybuilder in Upfield, Melbourne.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centurion_Transport_Engineerin…
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Leyland Motors Limited (later known as the Leyland Motor Corporation) was an English vehicle manufacturer of lorries, buses and trolleybuses. The company diversified into car manufacturing with its ac…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leyland_Motors
+ 3 more evidence sources
schedule
Claim 12: “The State Attorney only applied for a trial date in September 2024”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 13: “amaBhungane checked with the Competition Commission directly. It told us it had no record of any such complaint.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
info
Claim 14: “the contract, signed on 10 July 2015, was riddled with delays and irregularities.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided search results for this claim contain irrelevant YouTube videos and general DALRRD progress reports; none confirm the specific signing date of July 10, 2015, or the irregularities of that specific contract.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The Portfolio Committee convened virtually to receive a progress report by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) on the previous State of the Nation Address (SONA) …
https://pmg.org.za/committee-meeting/36482/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — She added that, looking ahead, the department aims to increase agriculture’s GDP contribution from 7% to 10%, support 60 land reform farms, train another 1,000 producers, and create 750 additional job…
https://taungdailynews.com/tag/land-reform-and-rural-develop…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — RU. 2026 July BR Changes. Tap to unmute.10:21. Warthunder's Forgotten Little Rat...Cubertus6.7K views • 9 days agoLivePlaylist ()Mix (50+). 28:05. Real Police Sergeant Rates The RookieSergeant Steve1.…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bK_4r7WhmlA
schedule
Claim 15: “Micheal Vermeulen, the director of Centurion Bus Manufacturers, submitted one bid on behalf of the company and, interestingly, submitted a second through a joint venture with Phetolo Health Consortium.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 16: “the department... filed a fresh summons that August [2020], finally served on it in October 2020.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 17: “The Auditor-General was of the view that this was “in contravention of paragraph 4 of the Competition Act No. 89 of 1998, which prohibits horizontal practices” – in other words: collusive tendering.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
info
Claim 18: “they disqualified all seven other bidders, leaving only the CBM still standing.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The News24/amaBhungane article explicitly states that the evaluation committee disqualified all seven other bidders, leaving only CBM. No other independent source corroborates this specific bidding process detail.
info
Claim 19: “In July 2015, Centurion Bus Manufacturers (CBM) scored a R31-million contract to buy and convert seven buses into mobile veterinarian clinics for the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD).”
SINGLE SOURCE
While the News24/amaBhungane report (referenced in evidence for claim 3) mentions the R26m payout for mobile vet clinics, the specific details of the July 2015 R31-million contract for seven buses are not independently corroborated by the other provided search results, which are mostly generic definitions of July or agriculture.
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — Agricultural land is typically land devoted to agriculture, the systematic and controlled use of other forms of life—particularly the rearing of livestock and production of crops—to produce food for h…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agricultural_land
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Department of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare is one of the departments of Government of Tamil Nadu.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Department_of_Agriculture_(Tam…
menu_book
wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Department of Agriculture Development & Farmers' Welfare (Kerala) is one of the Department of Government of Kerala. The Department of Agriculture Development & Farmers' Welfare is a key ministry t…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Department_of_Agriculture_Deve…
+ 3 more evidence sources
info
Claim 20: “The Department of Agriculture confirmed his leading role on the bid specification and bid evaluation committees”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided evidence shows Ramasodi as DG apologizing for a report and discussing policies, but does not contain a confirmation from the Department regarding his specific role on the bid specification and evaluation committees for the CBM contract.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Mr Mooketsa Ramasodi, DG, apologised for the initial report that was submitted; the revised report also covered the second AG report. The first critical area he felt was important was to clearly outli…
https://pmg.org.za/committee-meeting/34444/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Wandile and Agriculture Director-General Mooketsa Ramasodi discusses the policies and partnerships needed to sustain agricultural growth, improve biosecurity, and market access, strengthen food securi…
https://www.farmersweekly.co.za/videos/ramasodi-outlines-the…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Mooketsa Ramasodi, Mr. If you are the owner of the contact information below, you can send updated contact information to electronic@gcis.gov.za. Title.Ramasodi. Name(s). Mooketsa. Email. DGOffice@dal…
https://www.gov.za/about-government/contact-directory/agricu…
help
Claim 21: “Jacob Basil Hlatshwayo, the former chief financial officer of the department, was sentenced to four years in prison in February 2025 in relation to a R10.8-million abalone corruption case dating back to 2017.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found after searching for this specific sentencing in February 2025.
schedule
Claim 22: “A July 2019 Auditor-General report on the bus debacle... found Ramasodi and his committee wanting.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
info
Claim 23: “Ramasodi chaired both the bid specification committee and the bid evaluation committee (BEC), and, an internal report suggests, sat as an ordinary member of the bid adjudication committee too.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The evidence provided for this claim consists of search results for a novel and movie called 'Waiting to Exhale', which are completely irrelevant to Mooketsa Ramasodi or bid committees.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Waiting to Exhale is American novelist Terry McMillan 's third novel, published in 1992. It was the first of McMillan’s novels to garner national attention, debuting at #6 on the New York Times bestse…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waiting_to_Exhale_(novel)
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Waiting to Exhale: Original Soundtrack Album is the soundtrack for the film of the same name, released on November 14, 1995, by Arista Records. Produced by Babyface, the soundtrack features appearance…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waiting_to_Exhale_(soundtrack)
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Four friends navigate careers and love, facing heartbreak, infidelity, and hope as they search for lasting relationships and self-worth.
https://tubitv.com/movies/603322/waiting-to-exhale
schedule
Claim 24: “The department... went on to pay another R8-million invoiced for scientific medical equipment in February 2016 and R3-million for body panels that April.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.