Pule Mabe’s response

Mabe said that the report is a product of an investigation that the SIU conducted illegally and therefore has no legal standing.

“As you may be aware, the SIU may only conduct investigations pursuant to a proclamation issued by the state president. Such proclamation was only issued this year, which was long after the report was finalised,” charged Mabe.

“It would seem the post-facto procurement of the proclamation is an attempt by the SIU to regularise and/or legitimise its unlawful conduct and report. Further, in conducting such illegal investigation, the SIU never contacted me, as a subject of such investigation and, notwithstanding, proceeded to implicate and/or make adverse findings against me.”

He denied he was a director of the company when it won the contract with the Gauteng government, pointing to a press ombudsman report that ordered the Mail & Guardian to apologise to him for stating the allegation as fact.