Govt grabs Ngcuka's BMW
2003-08-03 08:26
Johannesburg - The director of public prosecutions, Bulelani Ngcuka, has been ordered to surrender his luxurious BMW 750 worth R874 000 to the justice department, on the grounds his contract does not entitle him to a car allowance.
He was also recently asked to reimburse the government the money he might have used to buy the car. The instruction to return the car comes at a time when the government and ANC appear to be closing ranks around embattled Deputy President Jacob Zuma, who is under investigation for alleged corruption by the Scorpions, the special investigative unit headed by Ngcuka.
Speculation is rife in political circles that Ngcuka might be forced to resign from his position because of political pressure. He is said to be worried the ANC is not closing ranks around him but is instead protecting people being investigated by his unit.
The leaking of Ngcuka's car story is being seen as the government and ANC putting the screws on him.
Ngcuka found himself besieged this week when even President Thabo Mbeki entered the fray by suggesting the Scorpions could be incorporated into the police service under Commissioner Jackie Selebi.
'Hollywood-style'
In addition, ANC secretary-general Kgalema Motlanthe criticised Ngcuka's unit for its "Hollywood-style" of making arrests.
Ngcuka is leading two investigations involving top ANC leaders Zuma and former transport minister Mac Maharaj.
Ngcuka has now been informed he acquired the sleak BMW 750 unprocedurally.
Sources claim he may have improperly acquired the car, thereby breaching the conditions of his employment contract which do not allow for the purchase of such an expensive car.
However, sources close to Ngcuka suggest this does not amount to corruption but is an administrative error on the part of the justice ministry.
Ngcuka on Saturday defended himself when City Press approached him about the matter. He said he had done nothing wrong as he believed he was acting within his contract.
He suggested the car issue was being raised by mischievous people who want to embarrass him and question his integrity.
Entitled
"When I came into office, I was informed in writing that I was entitled to a car allowance. I then bought the BMW as it was within the stipulated range of the allowance. I was told I'm entitled to either buy a BMW 745 (valued at R765 000) or a Mercedes Benz S320 (worth R635 000). I bought a BMW 750," said Ngcuka.
It is understood the justice department later in formed Ngcuka that his position did not qualify him for a car allowance. He was instead told he belonged to a government car scheme, meaning he would be entitled to a similar car, but it would belong to the state and not to him.
As a result of the bungle, Ngcuka has now been told to reimburse the state the money he might have used to buy the vehicle.
He has no problem with that: "I'm ready to pay back the department whatever amount I owe them. I am, however, still waiting for the invoice that will tell me how much I owe them."
The justice department director-general Vusi Pikoli is expected to provide the invoice.
Might quit
He believes the car issue was caused by a government error, not his.
The Ngcuka car issue has surfaced at a time when tension between his office and Selebi's office is simmering, to the point where Mbeki has raised concern about some of the probes being conducted by the Scorpions, believing they could have been done by the police instead.
Mbeki suggested the Scorpions' independence from the police should be re-examined, further fuelling speculation that Ngcuka's career at the helm of the national prosecuting authority might be coming to an end soon.
People close to Ngcuka suggest the past week's events have put him and his team under intense pressure and could force him to quit his post.