Protector may subpoena Cabinet

2011-09-12 22:23

Cape Town - Public Protector Thuli Madonsela had not received a reply from the Cabinet by Monday afternoon on her reports on the lease of two office buildings for the police.

"If we don't get an answer and it's clear they do not want to co-operate, then we will subpoena," Madonsela told the Cape Town Press Club on Monday.

"That is the power we have been given. It is similar to a court of law."

Cabinet was given 60 days to respond to Madonsela's second report in July, which examined a R1.1bn agreement to lease Transnet Tower in Durban.

Madonsela found that the department of public works had diverted from tender processes.

The first report, released in February, was the outcome of an investigation into the leasing of the Middestad building in Pretoria for R500m.

It found that the leased agreements were not at market rate, and that businessman Roux Shabangu allegedly pressurised officials to conclude the deal.

Madonsela called on President Jacob Zuma to take action against Public Works Minister Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde, Police Commissioner General Bheki Cele and senior officials involved in the deal.

Madonsela said Cabinet had only one deadline, Wednesday.

"That is the deadline for the minister of public works to present her case to the Cabinet. I do not want to prejudge that. Until I have heard from the Cabinet secretary I am not in position to say more."

- SAPA