From the answers to the written questions that the FF Plus put to the minister of finance, it seems that Transnet and the department of public enterprises are undermining the treasury’s investigation into Transnet contracts with Gupta-linked companies, says adv. Anton Alberts, chairperson of the FF Plus. (Please see questions and answers attached).
Adv. Alberts says that the former finance minister, Pravin Gordhan, had already confirmed last year that the treasury had launched full-scale investigations into all tenders of more than R10 million allocated by public utility companies.
That was after the Public Protector pointed out that the said tenders could possibly be targets for large-scale corruption.
In November last year, Gordhan complained to the media that his auditors and investigators were getting ‘no’ cooperation from the SABC, Transnet, the SAA and the Department of Public Enterprises with regard to the information requested from them.
In his recent parliamentary question to the finance minister, adv. Alberts focused on Transnet and he enquired whether the treasury’s investigation of Transnet contracts would, amongst other things, also look at the following Gupta-linked companies: McKinsey & Co., Regiments Capital and Trillian Capital Partners.
According to the Minister’s answer, they are still waiting for documentation from the department of public enterprises and Transnet.
Adv. Alberts says that these delays are suspicious and that the FF Plus is going to request that the treasury acts before evidence is destroyed. He adds that if there were any illegal dealings, much of the evidence is probably already destroyed.
“It is worrisome, and though there have not been any findings, such delays usually indicate that all is not well,” says adv. Alberts.
Contact numbers: 082 391 3117 / 083 419 5403
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NUMBER: 1076 [NW1080E]
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 15 MAY 2017
1076. Adv A de W Alberts (FF Plus) to ask the Minister of Finance:†
(1) Whether the National Treasury is currently investigating Transnet contracts with certain companies (details furnished); if not, why the National Treasury has informed the media that such an investigation is indeed under way; if so, (a) what is the motivation for the investigation, (b) what is the status of the investigation, (c) what are the time lines of the investigation and (d) when will the investigation be concluded;
(2) whether the findings of the investigation will be made public; if not, why not?
NW1080E
REPLY:
(1) Yes.
a) The reviews emanated from directives from the Public Protector to review contracts above R10m for the Public Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) which immediately extended to other State Owned Entities including Transnet;
b) The National Treasury is still waiting for the requested documentation from Transnet and the Department of Public Enterprises respectively, in order to conclude the review;
c) Submission of requested documents from Transnet and the Department of Public Enterprises will determine the timelines for the review; and
d) The completion of the review is dependent on receipt of the documentation from Transnet and Department of Public Enterprises.
(2) The report will be submitted to Standing Committee of Public Accounts which will make it public.
