SIU probe to focus on company, Scopa told

A POLICE investigation into an Eastern Cape education department transaction will focus on a private company.

This was revealed by acting education boss Ray Tywakadi at a sitting of the standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) at the Bhisho legislature on Tuesday.

Contacted for a comment yesterday, Tywakadi declined to name the company that the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) was focusing on or divulge the specifics of its business with the department.

“The matter is under investigation so we are not at liberty to talk about it, but it was a transaction between the department and that individual. We are just managing some of our procurement transactions and trying to correct them.”

Tywakadi said there was a contract between the government and the SIU and hiring a private firm to conduct the investigation would have been expensive.

SIU acting communications manager Ayanda Maki said: “The approach of the investigation could look into the entire functioning of the department.”

Maki said the probe might include procurement and nondelivery. “Also who is responsible for it and who had approved that particular tender.”

She said when a report had been finalised, it would be submitted to President Jacob Zuma and authorities in the provincial education department.

She referred questions on when the investigation was likely to commence to the presidency.

Presidency spokesman Harold Maloka referred questions to Justice and Constitutional Development spokesman Mthunzi Mhaga.

A response from Mhaga had not been received at the time of writing.

● Scopa members on Tuesday vented their frustrations over the department’s failure to resolve the matter concerning Mthunywa Ngonzo, who has been on suspension for more than a year. His suspension involves the awarding of a school furniture tender.

Scopa member Sicelo Gqobana said the fact that the department was operating without a permanent head rendered it ineffective.

“We need to take a hard line in education and deal with consequences,” Gqobana said.

Another Scopa member, Christian Martin, said education should try to enter into a deal with Ngonzo. — msindisif@