Prison report referred to NPA
2009-11-19 10:27
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Johannesburg - A shocking report on corruption in the Department of Correctional Services has been referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the department said on Thursday.
"The SIU [Special Investigating Unit] has referred its report on alleged procurement irregularities in the Department of Correctional Services to the NPA, thus rendering the contents of the report sub judice as they are likely to be tested in a court of law," the department said in a statement.
"It is a matter under consideration," confirmed NPA spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga.
The department said because the report had been referred to the NPA and was now sub judice, it would not be made public by Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.
"Mapisa-Nqakula further rejects any insinuation peddled in the media as truth that she has a vested interest, whether directly or indirectly, in not making public contents of the report."
Steps being taken
The statement added that steps were being taken to strengthen internal processes used to award tenders. It had also begun disciplinary action against employees implicated in SIU head Willie Hofmeyr's report.
In a presentation to MPs on Tuesday, Hofmeyr revealed hundreds of millions of rands worth of corruption in correctional services.
A senior official who was "instrumental" in securing tenders for a company by rigging the process, was fingered. In return, the official received R2.1m of payments in the form of cash, plane tickets, cars, housing renovations and tickets to rugby games.
"We have not been able to establish any lawful cause for these payments which amount to at least R2.1m," said Hofmeyr.
Gifts
"It consisted of a car... Another car or contribution to a car... A car for his son and daughter. A sponsorship of the daughter's trip overseas. Another contribution to a car... Six Blue Bulls season tickets - we haven't put a value on that.
"The company financed the development of a house... to the tune of more than R1m, as well as renovating a kitchen for about R180 000."
Hofmeyr said the company had also contributed R80 000 to a retirement home for the official and deposited three amounts of R48 000 into his credit card.
"We are satisfied these amounts came from the company."
- SAPA
