AfriForum is pushing for access to procurement records linked to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment’s R1.8 billion Working on Fire contract awarded to Tefla Group.

The civil rights organisation says the documents are needed to understand how Tefla was assessed before being named the successful bidder.

AfriForum has raised concerns about whether the company had the specialist staff, aircraft, equipment and operational systems required to manage large-scale wildfire response.

AfriForum seeks tender records

AfriForum submitted a Promotion of Access to Information Act application in May after questioning Tefla’s apparent capacity to deliver the programme.

The organisation said the department responded on 1 July, explaining that an award letter had been issued to Tefla on 8 April and accepted. However, no binding contract existed at that stage because a service level agreement had not yet been signed.

According to AfriForum, the department said this meant it could not provide the requested procurement records.

AfriForum also requested documents linked to the existing Working on Fire contract managed by a Kishugu joint venture. Those records were also withheld, prompting an internal appeal under Paia.

Questions over Tefla’s capacity

AfriForum disaster management specialist Tarien Cooks said wildfire management requires specialised expertise, equipment and operational capacity.

The organisation says it wants to establish whether Tefla had the necessary personnel, firefighting equipment, aircraft, vehicles and systems when bids were evaluated.

AfriForum has acknowledged that without the evaluation records, it cannot determine whether the department assessed the bidders properly or identify specific flaws in the adjudication process.

Court battle cleared way for award

The tender has already been through a lengthy legal fight.

In April 2025, the High Court in Pretoria set aside the original award after finding problems with the procurement process. The department later re-evaluated the original bids.

Tefla was identified as the preferred bidder in early 2026. In June, the court dismissed an urgent attempt by Working on Fire/Kishugu to block the transfer of the contract.

The department said five bidders took part in the court-directed re-evaluation. It also said it was not aware of any subcontracting agreement between Tefla Aviation and Kishugu Aviation, although Tefla had indicated plans to subcontract work to designated groups.

AfriForum says it is prepared to pursue further legal remedies, including court action, to obtain the records.