Minister mum on police building lease
2011-04-08 22:16
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Durban - Public Works Minister Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde on Friday said she would not comment on the controversial lease of a Pretoria building until the public protector had concluded her investigation.
"There is nothing I am hiding. I just want the public protector to conclude her investigation and I will tell my side of the story after that," said Mahlangu-Nkabinde.
She was addressing journalists during a workshop for public works MECs at Sibaya Casino outside Durban on Friday afternoon.
In a report released in February, Public Protector Thuli Madonsela recommended that Cabinet demand an explanation from Mahlangu-Nkabinde about signing off on the deal, despite legal advice to the contrary.
In her report, Madonsela said the department of public works' decision to push ahead with the deal amounted to maladministration.
She called on the National Treasury to determine steps to terminate the lease, and took aim at national police commissioner General Bheki Cele for signing the memorandum authorising funding for the deal.
The public protector was also investigation another police lease deal in Durban.
"I believe that we have to allow her to complete her investigation. I hope she will finish very soon. She asked to be allowed to complete it. I don’t want get into her space."
- SAPA
