DA wants action on Gauteng graft report

2011-06-22 18:50

Johannesburg - The DA in Gauteng has referred a report on alleged corruption in the provincial transport department to President Jacob Zuma, to have the matter probed further.

"I have requested President Zuma to issue a presidential proclamation that authorises the Special Investigating Unit to probe the 'criminal conspiracy' accusations, as well as the eight identified cases of irregularities involving about R500m," the party's Jack Bloom said on Wednesday.

The Resolve Group report was made public by Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane last year. Mokonyane said last week it had not been referred to other investigating agencies, but was dealt with by her office instead.

The report recommends that further action is needed to probe allegations, by former Gauteng transport MEC Ignatius Jacobs, of a "criminal conspiracy" in which friends and associates of former department head Sibusiso Buthelezi received large government contracts in exchange for bribes, or to enrich themselves.

Buthelezi faced disciplinary action after the release of the report. He left the department with a R1m golden handshake.

Bloom alleged that this was due to Buthelezi's close ties to ANC Gauteng chairperson Paul Mashatile.

"I have also sent the report to Mr Willie Hofmeyr of the Special Investigating Unit and to Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan. I have done this as it is essential that criminal charges are laid where necessary, rather than the perpetual pattern of officials leaving with golden handshakes."

Bloom said there were eight findings of irregularities contained in the report.

These included the alleged irregular appointment of Ilima and Tau Pride as service providers to the Jabulani Hospital project in Soweto, without a competitive bidding process.

The hospital's cost was R300m over budget.

Buthelezi allegedly contravened the Public Finance Management Act, appointing TT4 consultants without following a competitive bidding process.

Mncedisi Ndlovu & Sedumedi (MNS) Attorneys was allegedly irregularly appointed. More than R100m was paid to a company called Data Mobility between October 2006 and August 2008.

The assets bought with the money could however not be verified.

Bloom accused Mokonyane of being "derelict" for failing to refer the report for further investigation.

"We will never defeat corruption unless there is the political will to proceed, no matter who may be implicated. Mokonyane has failed to confront the corruption monster because key implicated officials are politically protected."

Mokonyane's spokesperson Dumisani Zulu could not immediately be reached for comment.

- SAPA