N West told to reverse R100m game donation

THE PORTFOLIO committee on environmental affairs has ordered the North West Department of Rural, Environmental and Agricultural Development and the MEC,Manketsi Tlhape, to reverse a controversial R100 million donation of high-value wildlife from state-owned game reserves because of “severe prima facie anomalies”.

The donation of rare sable antelope and rhino was made to the SA Rare Game Breeders’ Holdings (SARGBH).

However, yesterday the committee said it had found “there is prima facie evidence that the department did not handle the donations of the high-value wildlife animals with the requirements of the Public Finance Management Act”.

“Thus, the committee directs the MEC and the department to reverse the donation with immediate effect and ensure no further donations to the SARGBH take place.

“The prima facie anomalies are severe enough to warrant that the auditor-general and National Treasury must take the necessary steps to investigate the game donation project for possible financial irregularities.

“This investigation could result in a finding that the costs of the SARGBH project be recovered from the MEC, the accounting officer or any persons or entity that might have contributed in these transaction or that may have inappropriately benefited.

“Both the conception and implementation of the game donation was not properly done, despite the high value of the wildlife species.

“These two processes appeared to have been hurried for reasons unknown to the committee.”

The committee said it would seek le gal advice “with the aim of referring this matter to law enforcement agencies for investigation”. – Sheree Bega