Tenders blamed for killings
Moerane Commission’s report reveals causes of political violence in KZN
FIGHTING for financial resources via lucrative state tenders had been established as the root cause of political killings in KwaZulu-Natal, according to the Moerane Commission of Inquiry report, made public yesterday.
“There was overwhelming evidence from the majority of witnesses that access to resources through the tender system is the main root cause of the murder of politicians,” the report said.
The 424-page document was presented to the KZN Legislature, and journalists were provided with hard copies.
It is unclear when copies will be made available online for the public.
The report stated that there had been “ample evidence” placed before the commission that constitutional provisions for contracts of goods and services to be dispersed in a “fair, equitable, transparent, competitive and cost effective” manner had been “violated”. That violation was in the form of “manipulation and exploitation by politicians and public officials in collusion with business people”.
The commission was established in October 2016 and was chaired by senior advocate Marumo Moerane, SC, and was mandated to investigate the underlying causes of political violence in KZN. More than 60 witnesses testified before Moerane, Professor Cheryl Potgieter and advocate Vasu Gounden.
The report recommended, among other things, that immediate measures be taken to “depoliticise and professionalise the public service”.
“The state must rebuild a public service that is driven by the politics of delivery and public service and not the politics of patronage of personal accumulation. The state must also take measures to immediately enforce the separation of powers, duties and functions between public representatives and public officials and hold each accountable, professionally and criminally, for their respective conduct,” according to the report.
Government functionaries, without exception, had to have the appropriate qualifications for their posts. It was also recommended that employing political deployees in government who did not have appropriate qualifications “must be discouraged”.
The investigation of corrupt activities and criminal acts by politicians, public officials and business people must be investigated, stated the report. If parties were found to be guilty, they should be appropriately sentenced.
This would rebuild the confidence of the public in the public service and avoid encouraging “a culture of impunity and a culture where perpetrators believe that they are politically protected from prosecution and punishment”, said the report.
It was also recommended that political parties build a strong membership base that was rooted in democratic values, political competition, tolerance, sound moral values and service to the public.
MPILETSO MOTUMI
THERE is one day in the year when crazy is the order of the day.
The Red Bull Box Cart Race took place on Sunday, for 500m down Sandton Drive. After an eight-year hiatus, an eventful, action-packed day saw team SA Bobsled from Benoni electrify the thousands who gathered along the street to cheer them on.
The winning team, comprising Stuart Turner, John Turner, Gareth Turner and Lloyd Herbst, had the spectators laughing at their green lycra bodyhugging outfits.
“It was me, my brother, father and childhood friend Lloyd. We got basic tubing and old bicycle bits and put a frame together, then had the idea to make a bobsled, like from the movie
and it fit in with the theme. We thought it would be funny to have a South African bobsled. It was a few laughs at the expense of ourselves.”
Getting the cart together took a month, spending a few hours on it on Saturdays.
“I definitely thought our idea was crazy enough and creative enough to stand a chance to win. From the get-go I thought we had a chance; we had a look around and the response we got was good. We thought at least top five, but when we ended up winning ,it was a surprise,” said Gareth Turner, who drove the team to success.
For runners-up Team Bathtime, they were inspired by the Red Bull branding with a bathtub going down the hill and decided to replicate it.
“It took three months and lots of late nights to build it. We expected to do well – we said we wanted to win. We didn’t have an idea of who was coming and what kind of creativity there was. We said we were going to give it our all to get a podium (placing). We gave our everything and it was great. Wouldn’t want to do it again and then it ends differently. It’s a memory we want to cherish,” said Johan Niemand.
Third placed team Ballberions Dragon had one of the best-looking carts.
“It’s quite a lengthy process from deciding to enter to drawing up plans, getting them accepted and starting to build. It’s joyful because the dream comes true and everyone pulls in. Coming together to do something fun and completely ludicrous is great. We had an aluminium frame welded, and the building of the heads took a long time. It was two months, all in all,” said Neels Clasen.
He said his teammate Etienne’s crowd-pleasing factor of lying under the cart was always a winner.
“We did our first test run nights before the actual race.”
The three teams beat 68 others who took part. two