Public protector to be grilled by parly
Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane will be grilled on Wednesday for more information by parliament’s portfolio committee on justice and correctional services to “urgently explain” her investigative report into the Vrede Integrated Dairy Project.
The committee chairperson, Dr Mathole Mathegka, told The Citizen the committee was concerned about comments Mkhwebane had made around the investigation of the project.
“We have further noted with grave concern allegations of her office suppressing some evidence. This type of allegation only tarnishes the good image of the office of the public protector,” Mathegka said.
It was therefore decided to call on Mkhwebane “to address the committee on Wednesday”, said Mathegka.
DA leader Mmusi Maimane called the Mkhwebane’s report “a total disgrace”.
“This is just protecting corruption. It cannot be allowed to stand. I’m talking to our advocates today, we must set it aside and I will communicate details soon,” Maimane said on Twitter.
In her report, quietly released on Friday afternoon, Mkhwebane “red-carded” the Free State department of agriculture for its handling of the Vrede Integrated Dairy Project, and concluded that “the department had failed to manage and monitor implementation of the terms of agreement with implementing agent, Estina (Pty) Ltd, in relation to budget evaluation, expenditure control and Estina’s performance”.
Mkhwebane directed “the premier of the province to initiate and institute disciplinary proceedings against all implicated officials that were involved in the project and submit a report on the action he will take in this regard to the public protector upon the conclusion of disciplinary processes”.
Free State Premier and ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule and the provincial department of agriculture were raided in January by the Hawks for documents and computers related to the project.
The asset forfeiture unit has also applied for a court order to freeze about R220 million worth of assets belonging to the Guptas and others believed to have benefitted from the project.
It has been alleged that the Free State agriculture department under former MEC Mosebenzi Zwane had paid the R220 million to the Gupta family and their associates.
It was Mkhwebane’s failure to investigate these allegations – which she attributed to lack of funds – which has raised the ire of many, including Wayne Duvenhage of the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa).
“We believe that while some of the elements Mkhwebane raised [in her report] are factual and real ... she was wrong in directing the requirement for investigation to Magashula,” said Duvenhage.
If the public protector was seriously concerned about the public interest, she she would not have resorted “to the excuse of not enough time or resources. Either do it properly or don’t do it at all”, Duvenhage said.