Scopa wants Balfour recalled

2009-11-24 09:28

Johannesburg - Government watchdog Scopa wants President Jacob Zuma to recall former correctional services minister Ngconde Balfour as ambassador to Botswana, the Sowetan newspaper reported on Tuesday.

"I am still perplexed at how Balfour can continue to represent South Africa as an ambassador when he so seriously let the nation down," Themba Godi, the head of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, said.

The Special Investigations Unit revealed suspected corrupt dealings in the correctional services ministry under Balfour's watch.

A correctional services official received a house, cars, an overseas trip for his daughter and Blue Bulls season tickets in exchange for awarding tenders, Parliament heard earlier this month.

ANC spokesperson Jackson Mthembu told The Star newspaper on Tuesday that "at this stage" Balfour would not be questioned.

"These are allegations, and to the best of my knowledge, everyone is innocent until proven guilty," he was quoted as saying.

- SAPA