New graft claims against Hofmeyr
2011-07-17 14:35
Cape Town - New corruption allegations have been levelled against corruption-fighter Willie Hofmeyr, the head of the Special Investigating Unit and the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU), and his colleagues, the Sunday Times reported.
The weekly said National Director of Public Prosecutions Menzi Simelane had referred graft allegations by billionaire Dave King against Hofmeyr to the police.
Simelane has also ordered a probe against Knorx Molelle, the head of the AFU in KwaZulu-Natal, who is part of the investigation into the Inkata case, the paper said.
The case involves fraud and corruption allegations against two senior ANC officials in the province who allegedly solicited a R1 million bribe from South American businessman Gaston Savoi in 2007 in exchange for a R45 million government tender.
The Sunday Times said prosecutors fear that the probe had angered politicians in KwaZulu-Natal, and that the NPA's reaction was part of a wider plot by Simelane against Hofmeyr and the AFU.
The King allegations follow on the heels of an investigation into Hofmeyr for allegedly misappropriating SIU funds and flouting procurement rules procedures in the awarding of a tender to refurbish the unit's offices in Silverton, Pretoria.
Hofmeyr has said he was confident of a fair and speedy investigation despite the "nasty" allegations against him.
He added: "For anybody in a position dealing with serious cases of corruption, the most common way (to derail them) is to discredit the person or institution doing the investigation."
The SIU is involved in several investigations, including fraud and maladministration cases against 16 departments and public entities.
Hofmeyr worked with Public Protector Thuli Madonsela on the probe into the multi-billion rand lease of police headquarters in Pretoria.
- SAPA
