DA calls for commission of inquiry into NC state capture

THE DA has called for a commission of inquiry to be conducted into state capture in the Northern Cape following the arrest of three accused in the fraud, corruption and money laundering investigation at the Kimberley mental hospital.

Former ANC provincial chairperson John Block, the former HOD for the Department of Transport, Roads and Public Works, Pat Mokhali, and the director of Babereki Consulting Engineers, Tshego Motaung, are facing several charges including fraud, corruption and money laundering.

DA provincial leader Harold McGluwa stated on Tuesday that a “closed crony society”, which had embedded its claws through a network of role-players, was established in the Northern Cape to manipulate government tenders for personal gain.

He believed that Block, who was the MEC for Transport, Roads and Public Works at the time, was integral in the rapid deterioration of provincial government and the decline in service delivery through his “wheelings and dealings” in government.

“His re-arrest confirms that his role in the lease scandal involving the Trifecta group of companies, which landed him with a 15-year jail sentence, is only the tip of the iceberg,” said McGluwa.

“Attempts by the DA to remove Block from cabinet fell on deaf ears. The DA will request the premier, Dr Zamani Saul, to establish a commission of inquiry to investigate state capture in the Northern Cape, in accordance with Section 127 1(e) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.”

The DA spokesperson on Health, Isak Fritz, called on the provincial legislature’s standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) to investigate all government contracts in the Northern Cape that were awarded to Babereki Consulting.

Fritz stated that the R290 million Kimberley mental hospital project, which turned into R2 billion over a 14-year construction period, came at a considerable cost to provincial government.

“Not only were unjustifiable amounts of time and money spent on this project, but it also jeopardised the dignity of psychiatric patients.

“The net should be expanded to investigate all stakeholders who benefited.”

Fritz indicated that Babereki Consulting was also appointed for the controversial Kuruman mortuary, where the blood of deceased persons was found flowing in the streets in 2014.

“Work on the mortuary remained incomplete for years,” Fritz noted.

“I will be submitting a formal request to Scopa to launch an inquiry into past contracts awarded to Babereki Consulting and/or Rockwood Trading (Pty) Ltd, as it was formerly known, dating back to when the company was established in Kimberley in 2003. Any irregularities uncovered by Scopa should be reported to the Hawks for further investigation.”

Cosatu in the Northern Cape also voiced its disapproval over the re-appointment of high-ranking officials who were charged with corruption.

Cosatu provincial secretary Orapeleng Moraladi pointed out that two accused were reinstated as heads of departments after charges that were reported to the Special Investigating Unit and the Hawks were suddenly withdrawn.

“The federation respects the rule of law in these matters but would like to point out that there are many other employees who have been charged internally and sanctions against them imposed based on the balance of probabilities and, therefore, the two officials cannot be dealt with differently, despite the withdrawal of the charges in the court of law. The standard of proof in labour law differs from the criminal courts, since in the latter it is based on beyond reasonable doubt.”

Moraladi found it “worrisome” that certain individuals enjoyed the protection of their employers despite committing serious offences

“Cosatu calls on provincial government to review their stance and to be consistent in the application of the rules and policies.”