PIC minutes ‘doctored’ to cover for Matjila

Holomisa drops bombshell in affidavit

● An affidavit claims an internal investigation into Public Investment Corporation CEO Dan Matjila was doctored to exonerate him of wrongdoing involving a R21-million payment to a company belonging to a woman thought to be his girlfriend.

The affidavit by United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa filed with the High Court in Pretoria claims that board meeting minutes were altered to clear Matjila. He wants Matjila suspended. It also shows how Matjila allegedly instructed a company to pay R300 000 to clear the woman’s debt.

Matjila was cleared of wrongdoing after an investigation by the PIC board in September last year.

Holomisa is also asking the court to instruct Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene to institute disciplinary steps against Matjila.

Matjila has been under fire for months for alleged corruption, violation of the Public Financial Management Act and misappropriation of funds. He has denied the claims.

Last year an anonymous whistleblower detailed how Matjila had allegedly instructed a company, in which the PIC had invested, to make payments of R300 000 to his alleged girlfriend, Pretty Louw. It is alleged Louw also received R21-million from the PIC through Maison Holdings, which was funded through the PIC’s corporate social investment fund.

The PIC board exonerated Matjila of any wrongdoing.

Matjila referred the Sunday Times to PIC spokesman Deon Botha, who said: “When the affidavit is received it will be shared with our board and legal division.”

Holomisa’s affidavit also reveals how minutes of a PIC board meeting held on September 29 — where the R300 000 payment to Louw was discussed — were altered. The scope of the PIC’s internal investigation into the allegations was shaped so that Matjila and Louw’s relationship could not be investigated.

“The most important aspect relating to the allegations against the CEO is his involvement in the usage of PIC funds to promote the business interests of a person with whom he is alleged to be in a romantic relationship,” Holomisa says.

However, the minutes say the scope of the investigation should exclude the relationship between Matjila and Louw as well as the allegation that Matjila instructed a director of a PIC investment company to settle Louw’s debt.

“Because of the scope of the exclusion, the internal audit could not dive into the relationship between the CEO and Louw, nor could it inquire into the allegations that Matjila had instructed a PIC-funded company, Ascendis Health, to settle the debts of the alleged girlfriend.

“Nevertheless, a comprehensive account of the events was recorded at a [board] meeting on 29 September 2017, by Lawrence Mulaudzi, who is director of Ascendis Health.”

Holomisa says Louw contacted Mulaudzi on Matjila’s instructions with the intention to receive assistance with a business opportunity. When Mulaudzi could not source any business opportunities, Matjila contacted him and requested he “assist to settle the debt of the company which was closed by the sheriff as a result of the debt”.

Holomisa says a draft resolution at the board meeting stated that the reputation of the PIC was at risk “through the conduct of the CEO”.

However, he claims various portions of the minutes of the meeting were later retracted. “It is apparent the draft minute was substantially altered.”

Matjila has denied having a relationship with Louw.