Balfour must testify: DA

2010-01-15 18:02

Cape Town - Former correctional services minister Ngconde Balfour must be recalled as ambassador of Botswana to testify about his role in a prison housing scandal, a Democratic Alliance MP said on Friday.

James Selfe said the disciplinary hearings of Correctional Services National Commissioner Xoliswa Sibeko and Balfour's wife, Gauteng Correctional Services Regional Commissioner Thozama Mqobi-Balfour, had left "many unanswered questions".

"Former Minister Balfour must now be recalled from his post as ambassador of Botswana to testify," Selfe said.

Sibeko and Mqobi-Balfour rented accommodation at the upmarket Woodhill golf estate in Pretoria at some R35 000 per month per person at the cost of the public despite having the use of a government-funded house.

The Mail & Guardian newspaper reported on Friday that Balfour had advised Sibeko not to make use of the official accommodation available to her.

"If Balfour approved this housing then he in effect approved his own lavish accommodation," Selfe said.

Mqobi-Balfour was suspended last week pending the outcome of a disciplinary hearing into her alleged misconduct for the luxury property rental at the public's expense.

The suspension came six months after Sibeko had been suspended for the same alleged offence.

"It needs to be asked, did Mqobi-Balfour receive preferential treatment as a result of being married to the former minister?" Selfe said.

"It also needs to be asked, how could the then minister condone such expensive accommodation for Sibeko and by [the same] token housing for his wife that he directly benefited from."

- SAPA