Cellar, FS govt deny ties
2003-05-16 19:47
Bloemfontein - Free State government spokesman Kgotso Tau said on Friday he was not aware of any formal relationship between the provincial government and Free State wine cellar Landzicht.
Tau's comment followed a report by newspaper Mail and Guardian about Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota's undisclosed interests in Landzicht and a Free State fuel company.
According to the report Landzicht is a regular supplier of wines for all Free State government functions.
Lekota is reportedly a director of Landzicht's holding company, GWK.
Tau said on Friday it was "pretty touchy" to allege Landzicht exclusively provides wine for provincial government functions.
The arrangements for almost all these events were out-sourced to different service providers, such as event managers, who procured the necessary supplies, Tau said.
Landzicht cellar manager Ian Sieg said there was no contract or standing arrangement between his cellar and the Free State government for the supply of wine.
Landzicht, one of three cellars in the province, promoted its product by encouraging clients to "buy provincial", Sieg said.
According to him Lekota was offered a directorship in the cellar after he bought land and established a vineyard in the area.
The Landzicht board of directors was dissolved after GWK bought the cellar, Sieg said.
Lekota was recently appointed as a GWK director.
- SAPA