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Prisons graft: Bosasa's empire of influence

ADRIAAN BASSON, YOLANDI GROENEWALD AND GLYNNIS UNDERHILL - Nov 20 2009 07:16

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The company at the centre of South Africa’s prison corruption scandal is closely connected to powerful individuals on the political landscape, including the country’s new spy boss, Gibson Njenje.

A number of them were also close to Thabo Mbeki’s presidency.

Bosasa Operations, exposed this week in Parliament for allegedly bribing top prison officials to secure contracts worth more than R1,7-billion, makes a killing from government business. This includes work for the departments of correctional services, justice, home affairs, transport and the provincial governments of Gauteng and the Eastern Cape.

Bosasa’s chief executive, Gavin Watson, has close links with the governing ANC through his family’s anti-apartheid struggle credentials and his brothers’ post-1994 business interests.

Njenje is a founding member of Bosasa Operations and was a director of the company before being appointed head of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) in October.

A number of people benefiting from Bosasa contracts or linked to Watson and his family had links to Mbeki’s office, including the ex-president’s political adviser, Titus Mafolo, and Mbeki’s head of office, Lorato Phalatse, who is married to former Strategic Fuel Fund chairperson Seth Phalatse.

Watson’s brother, Valence, is the chief executive of Vulisango Holdings, the empowerment partner of controversial mining firm Simmer & Jack. Valence Watson’s business partners include Nozuko Pikoli, the wife of axed prosecutions boss Vusi Pikoli, and Siviwe Mapisa, the brother of Correctional Services Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.

Mapisa-Nqakula told the M&G this week that she knows Gavin Watson. “Mr Watson is a former CEO of Dyambu Holdings, a company the minister was formerly affiliated to. Mr Watson resigned from Dyambu and went on to form Bosasa. The minister has had no contact with him since then.”

According to the minister, she has “no relationship with Bosasa nor has she benefited from the operations of Bosasa”. She is “not aware of any relationships members of her family may have” with Bosasa.

CONTINUES BELOW

The M&G can reveal that Bosasa is seeking to interdict the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and President Jacob Zuma from continuing its investigation into tender rigging.

In its frantic efforts to halt the SIU’s graft probe -- which could lead to both civil and criminal charges -- Bosasa claims that the SIU leaked sensitive information to the Mail & Guardian that resulted in a “trial by press”. Bosasa is referring to a series of M&G exposés of collusion between Bosasa and senior correctional services officials, including former prisons’ boss Linda Mti and the department’s former chief financial officer, Patrick Gilllingham.

Zuma’s involvement in the case stems from Mbeki’s authorisation, as president, of the SIU probe into Bosasa. The SIU and Zuma are defending the matter.

The Bosasa group has benefited from prison tenders worth more than R3-billion since 2004.

SIU head Willie Hofmeyr shocked Parliament with sordid tales of corruption inside South Africa’s prisons, disclosing details about how Bosasa put the likes of Gillingham and Mti firmly in its pocket.

Hofmeyr’s briefing also raised uncomfortable questions about why Mapisa-Nqakula has been sitting on the SIU report from at least mid-September. It is the duty of the minister -- Mapisa-Nqakula -- or of the acting prisons commissioner, Jenny Schreiner, to launch a civil claim against Bosasa.

Hofmeyr said on Tuesday: “It is a matter that justifies the institution of legal proceedings by the department to recover damages from the company.”

Mapisa-Nqakula, who was appointed by Zuma in May to head the prisons department, originally said she had to present the SIU report to Cabinet before releasing it. Her spokesperson, Sonwabo Mbananga, later told the M&G that this release was on hold because of Bosasa’s pending legal action against the SIU.

The M&G now has access to the court papers filed by Bosasa against the SIU. Nowhere does it seek to interdict the SIU or Zuma from releasing the final report. Instead the applications focus on the alleged tainting of the probe due to media leaks.

Approached again after Hofmeyr’s explosive briefing to Parliament, Mbananga remained adamant: the minister would still not release the report because the SIU has referred it to the National Prosecuting Authority “and therefore the contents ... are sub judice”.

Bosasa’s spokesperson, Papa Leshabane, denied the corruption claims, labelling Hofmeyr’s briefing as “speculative, arrived at without hearing Bosasa, are disputed and will be dealt with in the appropriate forum”.

Bosasa also disputes the way in which Hofmeyr dealt with the matter at Parliament. According to Leshabane, their attorneys have advised them that Hofmeyr went beyond the powers of the SIU, acted unlawfully and breached Bosasa’s constitutional rights.

Although Hofmeyr evidently referred to Bosasa, Mti and Gillingham in his briefing, he didn’t name them, citing pending legal action against his unit.

Hofmeyr’s presentation this week vindicated the M&G’s revelations in February that Bosasa had access to tender documents before they were publicly advertised. Bosasa is demanding R500 000 from the M&G for referring to a “corrupt relationship” between the group and the department of correctional services.

Bosasa’s strategy to avoid penalties is two-pronged. First, it is pursuing an application for an interdict preventing the SIU from continuing its investigation until the court has made a final decision.

The application is brought by Bosasa Operations, the company’s operations coordinator Angelo Agrizzi, financial coordinator Andries van Tonder, buyer Frans Vorster and Watson. The four men were given notices by the SIU to provide certain documentation during interrogation by the unit.

The applicants claim that the SIU’s probe is tainted because of alleged media leaks and the handling of a seizure operation at Bosasa’s premises.

In reply the SIU denies leaking information to the M&G and accuses Bosasa of activating a “data deletion utility” on Bosasa’s servers shortly before the SIU arrived.

In the second court action the plaintiffs ask the court for a permanent order against the SIU, “declaring the entire process of the first defendant’s (SIU) investigations into the plaintiffs to be fundamentally tainted”.

Hofmeyr’s presentation brought into sharp focus again Bosasa’s astonishing success in winning government tenders. Even after 2007, when it became publicly known that Bosasa was under investigation for tender rigging, the group continued to secure lucrative contracts from the justice department and the Eastern Cape.

The group’s most recent tender is a R3,9-billion contract awarded by the Eastern Cape to Phakisa Fleet Solution, a Bosasa company, to manage the provincial fleet of vehicles.

At the time when the Bosasa group was awarded its first major prisons contract for catering in 2004, the company was owned by Watson’s family trust (26%), Bosasa directors Carol Mkele (33,3%) and Joe Gumede (18,5%), and the Bosasa Employees Trust (22,2%).

Between 2004 and 2006 three companies in the group -- Bosasa Operations, Sondolo IT and Phezulu Fencing -- were awarded six tenders by the prisons department at the value of R1,8-billion.

The SIU’s probe focused on four tenders: a catering tender for R717-million over three years; an access control tender at R237-million; a fencing contract for R587-million, and a tender for TV systems in prisons at a cost of R224-million.

Hofmeyr’s probe found that in almost all cases Bosasa was involved in the drafting of tender specifications and that procurement policies were severely discounted.

More than free air tickets
Former correctional services chief Linda Mti is a Teflon man. Though he has been involved in numerous controversies and charges, he has never been censured, writes Adriaan Basson.

Despite being arrested for drunk driving on at least three occasions and being convicted twice, he still heads security for the 2010 World Cup local organising committee (LOC) with no hint of any action against him.

Hofmeyr’s briefing to Parliament this week adds weight to the suspicion that Mti received more than free air tickets and hotel accommodation from Bosasa, as reported by the M&G in February. Hofmeyr, though not naming Mti directly, told how Bosasa paid architects to design Mti’s house in the luxury Savannah Hills Estate in Midrand.

The only concrete penalty Mti has faced to date is the confiscation of his driver’s licence for six months and a R20 000 fine or two months’ imprisonment in his home town, Port Elizabeth, last month. Mti pleaded guilty to drunk driving and paid the fine.

In 1992 Mti was also convicted of drunk driving in Port Elizabeth. He was sentenced to two months in prison with the option of a R400 fine. Mti paid the fine.

Two years later he was appointed a member of Parliament for the ANC and shortly after that as the country’s national intelligence coordinator.

In 2006 Mti was again arrested on suspicion of driving drunk, this time in Johannesburg. He was acquitted in 2008. At the same time Beeld revealed that he had a business relationship with Bosasa’s company secretary, Tony Perry. Mti was not reprimanded, but he was redeployed from the prisons department to the 2010 LOC to head security. Last month’s conviction after his guilty plea to drunk driving related to a car crash in Port Elizabeth in 2005. He also received a six-month sentence suspended for five years. The LOC has since responded that they still trust him.

Mti declined to comment and said the M&G should refer inquiries to the Special Investigating Unit.

From warder to prisons finance chief
Suspended senior prisons official Patrick Gillingham’s opulent lifestyle, allegedly partly bankrolled by Bosasa, was laid bare this week in Parliament.

The former finance chief of the prisons department was presented as a main beneficiary in the irregular awarding of lucrative tenders. The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) claims that he was handsomely rewarded for his loyalty to the company.

The “at least” R2.1-million of kickbacks allegedly paid to Gillingham included cars for him and his children, rugby tickets at Loftus Versfeld, an overseas trip for his daughter and a house in an exclusive Midrand estate.

Court papers before the North Gauteng High Court also mention the cars for his children, but Gillingham’s lawyer Ian Small-Smith this week denied his client’s guilt. “It is factually incorrect to allege that Bosasa Operations and/or any company in the Bosasa group purchased the vehicles in question. Upon proper investigations it would be revealed that not Bosasa Operations, or any company in the Bosasa group, had anything to do with the purchase of the vehicles.”

Gillingham does not have a tertiary qualification.

Beeld reported in 2006 that he was managing the department’s budget of more than R9-million a year with only a matric certificate. After school Gillingham joined the prisons service as a warder.

His personal and professional lives soon converged when he married the daughter of a senior prisons official in the apartheid regime.

Gillingham’s career in correctional services bloomed. He quickly rose through the ranks to become functional services director and later KwaZulu-Natal’s commissioner, before being promoted to the chief financial officer position.

In 2007 it seems Gillingham was becoming a liaibility. He was moved to the position of regional commissioner for Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West -- a move perceived as a demotion and linked to his involvement in the Bosasa saga that was starting to hit the headlines. In September last year he was suspended by former prisons boss Vernie Petersen after he [Petersen] was presented by the SIU with a draft report of its findings.

Gillingham has been on paid leave ever since.

During his tenure as chief financial officer, Gillingham was a confidant of both prisons boss Linda Mti and his minister Ngconde Balfour.

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Comments

So thats how luke watson got to be springbok for a day, his daddy gavin watson bribed the sa rugby board probably.From anti apartheid activist, to gravy train passenger.

Mainsteyn onACID on November 20, 2009, 7:52 am

The rot has set in to every single aspect of gvt and public institutions. We are being run by a mafia. All this talk about "rooting out corruption" is just hot air. There really is no hope for SA under the current government.

Ella Hume on November 20, 2009, 7:55 am

Ella, please read the article, it clearly states that the SIU and President Zuma are defending the attempts of Bosasa to halt the investigation. Any moron would clearly understand that the government is determined to get to the bottom of this rotten barrel. Your comments are indicative of the attitude of some white South Africans who are just not prepared to help make our country work, and look for any opportunity to criticise the ANC. Well, this is not one of those opportunities, read the article slowly this time.

Paul Young on November 20, 2009, 8:26 am

I am of the honest opinion that we are beyond the point of no return. Can this and the recent shocking news on corruption be true. I have asked it before: please show me just 1 (one) honest government official.

Poly Ticks on November 20, 2009, 8:40 am

Paul Young - surely you mean opposing attempts by Bosasa of halting the investigation? Oh what a tangled web they have woven.

on November 20, 2009, 8:42 am

Paul Young on November 20, 2009, 8:26 am , Paul stop being such a self conceited prick. You don't need to be a rocket scientist to see what has been happenning here for years. Or do you enjoy being bent over and pile driven into next week everytime (Daily) we read of another Gov department sucking the life out of this country. All these bastards are in it for themselves. As for JZ and SIU of course they have to say something. They are career politicians, they will lie and cover-up and ensure that nothing sticks. This story has been out, unofficially, for a long time already. This thing will eventually explode and shit will fly. They are doing what is politically expedient. As for your comment about white SA just not wanting this country to work, what KAK. The opportunities to criticise the ANC at everyturn is a right and in fact our obligation (Not just white, all bloody SA's) so as to ensure we are not utterly decimated by thier lack of ethics. What do you think the bastard in his little shack must think everytime he reads of yet another minister and co looting state fund fraudulantly for his own pleasure. I mean we are talking about Billions here, not just a couple of Rands. You doos. It is exactly your type of attitude that poo poo's these deeds as just another event. Well, fcuknuckle, all these "events" are going to sink our country and are in the process of pissing everybody off, including and especially the masses. They should prosecute the entire lot of them lock the up and throw the key away. Fcuk them. Blood sucking political SOBitches.

Apocalypse Now on November 20, 2009, 8:55 am

Stop the government bashing! I am sure everyone realises that government is appalled by this hence the interministerial committeee to look at all aspects of corruption..........

If it makes you feel better though, go on, break a leg!!!!!!

Proudly_South African Proudly_South African on November 20, 2009, 8:57 am

Paul, you have to be sceptical though. Why the zeal to investigate this? Because of the connection with Mbeki? Why not apply the same zeal to investigate the arms deal? Why not investigate the clear conflict of interest with regards to the boiler purchase for the new power stations? The mere fact that people are still critisising and have not run away means that they (we) want to make a difference. All this is, is to score political points, to "appear hard on corruption", only because this time it was someone else that can take the fall. Stop being so naive, well intended people without the skills to recognise BS have set this country back more than you think.

Chris Lombard on November 20, 2009, 8:59 am

Very sad indeed! So much energy and public resources will now be spent running after these morons. This is indicative of a very pervasive culture amongst the cadres(and deployees) and civil servants: Serving in public office is some kind of ladder to riches that you don't even deserve. This an enviroment where political connections are more important than competence. In spite of these Bosasa guys receiving billions in tenders Correctional Service Dept has become even more messed up!

I must say that govt procurement policies have become so immoral that no one should continue justifying their existence. Scrap the damn thing and come up with a simple policy : If you are in govt no tender, or directorship for you in some quasi company( and that includes your wife and kids!). To me that is the only way we are gonna stop this rot.

Makgale Molepo on November 20, 2009, 9:08 am

Apocalypse Now - you have indeed hit the nail on the head ! Could not have put it better. Remember that the Rot started under mandela - he was the start of all the problems - His useless lazy arrogant incompetent ways have clearly continued unabated.

on November 20, 2009, 9:10 am

@ Paul
There has been countless stories of this kind and nothing ever seems to happen. What the politicos say and what gets done is seldomly the same thing. I will not judge the action being taken or the statements made but I will watch and see what happens and if I were to bet on it and make a conclusion from previous cases I would have to say I think the people with the money and the power is going to get away on a technicallity or have their politian friends sweep it under the carpet for them. Want to wager?

Tiyane Mushwana on November 20, 2009, 9:15 am

This goes back further than 1994 and obnoxious Neanderthals like Apocalypse N need to see that.

When the ANC took over in 1994, sure they rushed to replace the white civil servants with ANC black ones but they did not replace the good with bad, corruption and graft was rife under the NATS. They were just lucky that society and communications were not as sophisticated as they are today or we would have known more at the time.

The ANC does seem to only react when these issues are raised and it is endemic to society and it can only be routed out by strong opposition.
As with the NATS, the arrogance of the current ruling party is disturbing and it’s all because they wield so much power. Something which is not good for any democracy and again it comes down to the necessity for a strong opposition in this country.

Colin Drew on November 20, 2009, 9:17 am

I think the majority of these kind of cases is due to the fact that the systems,processes and procedures in government are not well designed or developed by the treasurey. This create oppertunities for individuals to take advantage. the same that is happening now happened before '94 and will continue to happen unless we develop better meganisms to counter this evil. I will not be surprised if more of similar cases come to the fore. Criminals do crime because they know that there is an chance that they won't be caught
I think the comments of the doomdayers is more a reflection on there state of mind then on the issue at hand.

athur cupido on November 20, 2009, 9:27 am

Paul, this anti-corruption department is only being set up to ensure that corruption does not get to the newspapers. Don't believe this statement? Then lets have another chat in 10 years and compare notes! Colin is correct in saying that the opposition has to become stronger, because power corrupts if there is no balance.

Sourcy Smith on November 20, 2009, 9:28 am

Paul Young on November 20, 2009, 8:26 am

Hell Paul you really need to understand a bit about objectivity. I suggest you read the article again very slowly.

This has been going on for years, the man is already on suspension for more than a year. Do you really think this case will go anywhere, given all the high-powered ANC & Govt people implicated. Remember our honourable President's case?

Wake up man

Johan Scheepers on November 20, 2009, 9:38 am

Well and clearly said,Apocalypse Now...and For the sake of every South African, who strives for a better country..I truly,truly,truly hope and pray, that, "..... that poor impoverished bastard in his little shack ..DOES THINK VERY CLEARLY.. everytime he reads of yet another minister and co looting state fund fraudulantly for his own pleasure" !! The Cancer of this country...is the ANC. If this country is to survive.."Major Surgery" is vital !!

Craig LUNN on November 20, 2009, 9:39 am

Thanks to ADRIAAN BASSON for exposing Bosasa, this is one of the company that is corrupt in SA & within the company high positions are held by White People, Africans are used as slave while the company claim to be BEE compliant.

Its time for Zume Goverment to stop Bosasa for enriching Watson Family & few Window dressers who are called Directors within the company.

SOSO Talija on November 20, 2009, 9:51 am

Colin, suck my obnoxious neanderthal dude. You sound like one of the wining corrupt dooses who keep on saying it was far worse 20 or 30 years ago. That might and probably is true but I don't give a shit. It's what is happening now that I, we and all SA are paying for in taxes and services or lack thereof etc etc. In all the fraud and corruption cases in the last 5 years, (the ones that actually came out) very few of the perps were actually sentenced. Look at Shabby Shaiks case. SAA, Correctional services, transnet, Eskom, Telkom, post office and just about EVERY municipal area in SA. According to the AG (Auditor general) there is not one municipal district that does not have millions in unaccounted funds. Just gone, dissapeared ie, stolen. I mean, we have got raw sewage flowing into just about every major tributary in SA. WTF dude, stop being a doos. You say we need a strong opposition and I agree. But then you need to be strong and confront the fraud and corruption not try and poo poo it. You can't just sit there and go "well it was worse a long time ago blah blah fcuken blah) What are you going to say to your kids one day, Oh "that SA could have been a great place but our newly elected politicians were so hell bent of scoring big that they were able to fcuk the place up in just 20 years"

Apocalypse Now on November 20, 2009, 9:55 am

"Hofmeyr’s briefing also raised uncomfortable questions about why Mapisa-Nqakula has been sitting on the SIU report from at least mid-September. It is the duty of the minister -- Mapisa-Nqakula -- or of the acting prisons commissioner, Jenny Schreiner, to launch a civil claim against Bosasa."

So are you all ANC defenders denying that the Minister is part of the ANC? Or that Gibson Njenje is not part of the ANC? Your claims that the ANC are not to blame cannot be taken seriously. Are you 10 year-olds?
BTW Paul Young, your claim that I must be white b/c I think the ANC has become more like a mafia than a government is indicative of the racist polarization politics has become today. "Criticise the ANC - oh you must be white." How is this different from the Nats? New wine in old bottles. Is this the SA we fought for? I don't like eating shit, no matter who is serving it to me.

Ella Hume on November 20, 2009, 9:56 am

Gibson Njenje (apopointed by Zuma), Thabo Mbeki’s, Gavin Watson, Titus Mafolo, Lorato Phalatse, Seth Phalatse, Nozuko Pikoli, Siviwe Mapisa, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula (appointed by Zuma), Linda Mti , Patrick Gillingham, Ngconde Balfour. All involved, all corrupt, all ANC.

Proudly_South African Proudly_South African ‘… Stop the government bashing!...’ Why? Cant you handle reading about the corrupt nature of your rotting ANC?

moloko moloko on November 20, 2009, 9:59 am

Apocalypse Now - you are indeed a vacuous, malodorous turd and your comments are so drowned in bile you can’t see reason. What you say is mostly true but unfortunately, it’s just your childish, hysterical delivery that dulls your message and reduces your argument to a heap of toxic waste.

Colin Drew on November 20, 2009, 10:08 am

Have pity on the poor prisoners who have to eat the sh*t Bosasa serves them with the consent of our ANC Government. Thank God they haven't sent me there yet. But they're sure to find some excuse to do that.

Siegfried Hannig on November 20, 2009, 10:10 am

Just join the ANC, Siegried, to get your guaranteed Teflon suit.

Ella Hume on November 20, 2009, 10:17 am

Like pigs at the proverbial trough! Throw the book at them!

Then we need to have a look at that arms deal that our so-called Govt. is trying hard to sweep under the mat! But I guess I have more chance of falling pregnant...

Gordon Smith on November 20, 2009, 10:26 am

Colin Drew on November 20, 2009, 10:08 am

Maybe it would also be good to stop living in the past by blaming the NATS for everything bad that the ANC does. Also remember that the ANC is already in power for 15 years (NOT MONTHS)

Johan Scheepers on November 20, 2009, 10:30 am

Paul Young, you are a true South African. You don't only criticise but you also look at positive things that the government is trying to do. Everyone is concerned about crime and corruption in the country and as South Africa we should work together in fighting corruption in both Government and private sector. Stupid Cows like Ella Hume and Apocalypse Now will always criticise for the sake of it.

African Mzansi on November 20, 2009, 10:38 am

Johan Scheepers – that is very true and after this time real change should have happened for the benefit of all in this country.
Perhaps equating the ANC to the old NATS hits a nerve for you but that is also true. The ANC has just perfected the art of corruption and yes we have to deal with this now but keep it all in context and don’t forget the past. The past teaches us clearly that absolute power corrupts absolutely. And this is very true of the ANC today.

Colin Drew on November 20, 2009, 10:38 am

Colin Drew on November 20, 2009, 10:38 am

You're a funny guy who jumps to conclusions very fast.

FYI I was a very vociferous opponent of the NATS my entire life.

Just a pity that the ANC seems to take all the bad from the past, refine it, enhance it and embelish it and then people like you eat it for pudding. There really is very little good that has come from the ANC for the past decade. Why don't they take a few of the good things that the NATS did and also improve on that? Or has the NATS done nothing good?

Johan Scheepers on November 20, 2009, 10:49 am

moloko moloko – well said!

A snake rots from the head down and unfortunately because the ANC is so big it affects us all drastically. Again, an example of democracy being more about the opposition than the ruling elite. They will push till they hit the wall.

Unfortunately, we, the people, are between that wall and the ANC juggernaut

Colin Drew on November 20, 2009, 10:52 am

Colin, OK so I was a fraction graphic. Fcuken get over it. Read my comment and tell me, other than the expletives, if there is anything I have said that is not true or very real right now, not 20 years ago. I am not saying these things because its the ANC or that they are predominantly black people, I would feel and say exactly the same if it was the DA with all white people. The point is, these "officials" are abusing thier positions to enrich themselves at OUR expense. There are so many well connected gov and non gov people involved here that it is highly likely, like the toxic arms deal, that the average SA will not even get close to hearing about how bad it really is. I am pissed off. I am the one that gets told, well, elect going up, rates, food, cost of living etc etc and all these bastards do is suck on the proverbial shower head and then end up getting away with it. In some cases they actually get paid huge just to go. Get real. Everybody should be standing up and screaming from the rooftops about these shinanigans. We should not stop screaming until we begin to see better governance (Regardless of who it is). So fcuk you and all your type who think I am going or should keep quite. As long as I am paying my taxes, and theres alot of them, you can damn well bet I am going to add my little jab.

Apocalypse Now on November 20, 2009, 10:53 am

Johan Scheepers -
Then you and I are from the same page.

And I agree IF this country was politically mature enough to take the best from the past and make a better future then we would all be in a better place.
I guess it will take some time for the psyche of the nation to co-operate and trust on that level. Unfortunately it just seems we are sliding backwards and I’m convinced it’s because of the lack of delivery and levels of corruption and greed at the top that is worsening this divide

Colin Drew on November 20, 2009, 11:01 am

Apocalypse Now -
Read what I said – “what you say is mostly true”.

And perhaps if YOU got over your petulance maybe you'd be taken seriously.

Colin Drew on November 20, 2009, 11:07 am

This is a true reflection of how transparent things have become, in terms of government's intervention and the media's coverage thereof (ie. freedom of press). One just hopes that the M&G journo's could be more objective. This is evident in it's limited coverage of govt intervention and end the article with irrelevant trivia.
The new anti-corruption team already has it's first case, the first of many one supposes.

The Moxster on November 20, 2009, 11:14 am

The sad thing is because all these tender prices are inflated to provide for the kickbacks and bribes the Govt.Depts pay more than market value for services and goods. That means within the different budgets there is less value for money plus there is less money for decent salaries for the workers, less money for medicine, less money for handbooks, no money for welfare, less money for policing. The goverment can only spend what they have and can wisely borrow. Once again the poor,uneducated people mostly black) and the struggling middleclass of all colour are the people actually paying the bribes.

renette kumm on November 20, 2009, 11:17 am

The Moxster - I agree. It’s a start and one I certainly hope will succeed.

I’m just wary as most other such endeavours have not yielded much positive action.
We need to measure ROE and not ROI – return on execution not return on investment

Colin Drew on November 20, 2009, 11:19 am

What is the point guys, it will never be resolved, can you not see they are gunning for the Mbeki supporters? When 'President no aids' was in power it was a case of going for the Zuma supporters. It simply is a power struggle within the ANC that is happening and it depends on the flavour of the elected at the time. One thing I must mention to all my fellow whiteys is that in the Apartheid governments corruption did happen, maybe on a smaller scale. The difference is we were unaware of it because there was no freedom of speech/press during those days. I object to referring to Nelson Mandela being the same as these crooks. He was a man of integrity and if this happened whilst he was in power, I suspect he was unaware of the goings on. This great man donated half his salary to charity. Now I would like to see the fat cats in government doing the same. Viva Mandela Viva

Lee van Zyl on November 20, 2009, 11:31 am

Colin, this is not about whether I WANT or need anybody to take me seriously. I give a shit. It's about me just having my little say. There is Jack that you and I are going to be able to do about the massive propblems we face in this country. Our leadership is too self absorbed with getting rich quick to be concerned with little whities. However, if enough black people also begin seeing the total lack of concern for them by thier own people, (Like to service delivery protests that are happenning) maybe then, we could see some slightly more thoughful business practices and less greed from both corporates and Gov. Check at Jimmy Manyi, he is a full-on hardcore racist, yet he heads the BMF and is DG of labour in SA. Do you think that there might be a conflict of interest here, possibly a small moral hazard. Can you imagine the shit this oke is going to cause. Do you think it is a coincidence that he heads up both of these entities. Not likely. This has been very well planned. The ANC is thinking about the next elections. They have to make radical changes, all bad for whities, or they will just carry on loosing votes. Pucker up dude, its your turn.....

Apocalypse Now on November 20, 2009, 11:48 am

REFERENDUM – Please!

The INCOMPENANCE of our Government… The nature of the beast:

1. Government and Municipality Officials may only receive ONE monthly salary.

2. Government and Municipality Officials may not be involved in any private companies. (NO BEE deals)

3. Government and Municipality Officials (or direct family) may not be involved in any TENDERS.

No REFERENDUM ---- South Africa will be in total CHOAS..!!!
The ‘CHOAS’ is already in the 75% red mark!

Sipho Hu on November 20, 2009, 11:57 am

Lee van Zyl –
I agree with you totally!

It’s about personal power of the Zuma clan all while the country slides into the abyss.

I was not upset to see the back of Mbeki but the new regime is more insidious in its style. Zuma is just surrounding himself with walls of supporters to protect him from the reality outside the palace walls. It seems he has learned survival lessons from Brother Bob Mugabe.

Colin Drew on November 20, 2009, 12:02 pm

have we clarified whether the anti corruption team is dealing with corruption or the perception of corruption.
there is a massive difference.

Ian mcintosh on November 20, 2009, 12:02 pm

Ian - exactly !

My first objection to the govt. line was they had said they needed to address “the perception that corruption was rife” That is just killing the messenger.
The only real way of dealing with that “perception”, is to root out the corruption in the first place. The perception will then follow

Colin Drew on November 20, 2009, 12:12 pm

Yoh! The venom! Ordinary Pleb made me squirm.. Mandela is a national treasure dude, don't be ugly like that, okay? Yoh!

touché douché on November 20, 2009, 12:40 pm

I Agree with Apocalypse. Being subtle and jif jaffing around with politics is not gonna help us in any way. These BLIND ANC puppets is not worth arguing with , they will always have something diverting to blabber so f..k them. I find them obsolete and its highly inadequate to engage in debate when it gets to a certain point.How can one not realize that you are F....NG up your own future?? An old saying goes: if the head is stupid then the body must suffer. No sympathy from me, F..K the ANC!

Jakes Observing on November 20, 2009, 12:49 pm

This is sickening. I've come to the conclusion that so-called liberation movements anywhere in th world are the biggest liars, thieves and fraudsters ever known to mankind. And this happens while children are starving to death, as we speak, in South Africa.

Not that I in any way needed it, but I'm a million times vindicated by my decision to leave South Africa over 2 years ago. As a Black person growing up in the townships, I would never have dreamt of taking such a decision, but how glad I am now for having done it.

Mao Brac on November 20, 2009, 1:00 pm

This whole BEE thing is a joke, its pure government sanctioned corruption!! Look at the people who have benefited, its the so called "power-houses".

Tokyo and Cyril should know that one day, the masses will come looking for the share. Its insulting to the rest of to spoon-feed the connected few with a dozen deals and then turn around and call them entrepreneurs and visionaries!!

They are not worth the shoes the walk in, they are cheats who got luck and when we speak out we are branded coconuts. We are not debating issues, but attacking personalities.

The BMF is a joke, you should have heard them on Talk Radio 702 after the Maroga Eskom story, pathetic!

khathu ndouvhada on November 20, 2009, 1:16 pm

Let just say that I am not surprised that our incestuous government is stealing us blind.
We are going to leave future generation a plundered economy, questionable justice, non existent health and education systems all because those that vote for the ANC will never ever see articles like this one.
The promises made by the ANC forefathers will never bear fruit and those of us who had faith that the ANC will be better than the Nationalist now all have egg on our faces. Soon now they will legislate against newspapers printing articles like this for the foreign media to pick up on because it makes our politicians look like thieves!

Chris Potgieter on November 20, 2009, 1:32 pm

“as South Africa we should work together in fighting corruption in both Government and private sector” What do you mean when you say work together? Every time when people try to share their expertise, the likes of PSA, Moxter et al fuel up sinuedity & co and open up a race debate. Working together is just hot air, please provide more practical ways!

Where is the justice department? OOPS, I forgot that they are also involved in their own tender scandals. It is clear why SCORPIONS was dissolved; they were after such corrupt-hungry politicians. Those acclaimed to be honest politicians on the ground they have already resorted to petty crimes of milking the system by claiming more kilometers from their business trips.

I am black and am not pleased with how the government runs things as well as the level of corruption being exposed everyday.

Pre 1994,
We had match box houses and reasonable land
The value of ZA was excellent
Excellent education quality and by products being visible
Tenders awarded on credentials + good track record
Crime was on controlled basis & prisons were isolated places
No grants = controlled population
Political posts given to intelligent people and no rotation of ministers

Post 1994 we have low quality RDP houses and small land
Alliance is complaining about ZA everyday
Quantity always fiddling with the quality of education
Tenders awarded on AA basis + awarded on 70/30 bribe rule
Shocking levels of crime because there is no rule of law anymore & prison = 3 star hotel
Grants = everyone wants to be a mother
As long as you can utter rubbish in public, you are the man.

Please let’s stop promoting corruption because whenever we debate issues we have to mention apartheid as smokescreen and admit that in some areas we don’t have expertise to do the job and ask for help.

Kells on November 20, 2009, 1:41 pm

African Mzansi, for your information, cows are NOT stupid. (And what have you got against cows anyway?) Besides, calling me and Apocalypse Now derogatory names is like Sooo-childish. I must say I am sick and tired of this "let's work together to end corruption." Are you Pollyanna? Are you 5 years' old? What on earth do you even mean by this?? Don't you think that those in power have ANY accountability? Why do we vote them into office then?? This "let's look on the bright side of life" ditty that the ANC acolytes love to sing is wearing reealllyyy thin these days, when the corruption goes on ... and on ... and on ... and on.... I'll start wearing my smiley-face-Zuma t-shirt when the ANC brown-nosers start admitting the problems that exist. AND WHY AREN'T THE LIKES OF YOU, PROUDLYSA, ETC, MORE CRITICAL? Every time a corrupt politician steals money, a child dies, or goes hungry, or a woman gets AIDS, or a person doesn't have a shelter that night. YOUR BLINDLESS MINDLESS DEFENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT IS COSTING LIVES. TIME TO GROW UP PEOPLE!

Ella Hume on November 20, 2009, 2:25 pm

Actually, you all have it wrong. This is the right we previously disadvantaged cadres have to take what is ours. You whites must carry on to pay the tax and we will take it through this deals which you are calling corrupt. This is how redistribution works. Until the borgeoise have been usurped, we have every right to take what is rightfully ours.

mbo mbonyane on November 20, 2009, 2:52 pm

I agree with Paul Young on this one. We must criticise when we don't agree with a position but give credit where credit is due. we must support every honest effort to root out corruption, no matter who the agents are. If ANC top brass is making an effort in a particular case we must support them. That doesn't mean we must stop asking questions about the arms deal, Imvume 11 mil and all the other corruption claims that remain unresolved.

The ANC is in power for the next few years whether you and me like it or not. If they can reinvent themselves and root out the rot then they deserve support. I certainly have my doubts but I for one will look at every issue on its own merits and watch for any progress.

ZaSurfer on November 20, 2009, 2:59 pm

Kells has got it right(Well done!), but whoever said that the government is keen to root out corruption has got it completely wrong!
JZ was putting up another smokescreen today when he said that there is too much sex and violence on TV. Coming from him that's rich - keep it at home, not on the box must be his motto!
In the meantime they throw the only decent programme off the TV (50/50) because the investigators were getting too close to big business and government corruption.
Have you noticed how the so-called investigative journalists are watering down their programmes these days? They are only going for the small fish and put on wishy washy crap about the non-existant talent in the jails!
We're all being blinded with BS and taken for a huge ride!

Phil Curtis on November 20, 2009, 3:06 pm

Ella Hume, you sound too angry for my liking, anyways, if you don't like the little positive things that the government is doing, please feel free to move to Canada and see whether you will survive there. You brain dead Cow!!!

African Mzansi on November 20, 2009, 3:20 pm

ZaSurfer you are 120% correct, I just hope people (negative fools) like Ella Hume would learn from people like you.

African Mzansi on November 20, 2009, 3:31 pm

Listen my friends. I live abroad. Although the streets are safe, no hijackings, one is 100% safe in one's house, one's lovely new BMW 7 series is parked out in the road with no one touching it, unemployment is 2-3%, but do, however, believe me, corruption is EVERYWHERE, including in the most unexpected places.

But the difference between Europeans and the dark continent, is that in Europe no child goes hungry, everywhere has a right to shelter and food, whether you are employed or not. And that's the sickening thing of Africa. The African elite have no shame in looting, stealing, in the face of garve poverty and disease, and have no conscience with sipping Jack Daniels at a swanky pub, and spitting out a steak bone in front of a starving child. This happens only in Africa.

And for that, the continent simply has to pay in the future ............

Mao Brac on November 20, 2009, 3:40 pm

African Mzansi - '...You brain dead Cow!!!..' very agro statement for someone that just accused someone else of being angry. Saying one thing and doing the oposite... hey, just like your government! no wonder we dont beleive the ANC, and think nothing of your comments.

moloko moloko on November 20, 2009, 3:47 pm

This is window typical Commie window dressing. The scorpions were accused of picking on only ANC and government depts. The new lot are doing the same but not a word is said. Maybe painted into a corner? Maybe not.

Could it be smoke and mirrors? After all they could not really get away with a purge like they used to. Call coruption, shoot the sod then replace that with equally an corrupt.

The problem as I see it is that the ANC have been aware of this since day one. None came forward as they knew full well that they too would loose their place on the gravy train.

Hugh Robinson on November 20, 2009, 4:05 pm

mbo you have put in words what I have been saying for a long time is the agenda of Cosatu,Communist and ANC. Weaken us through taxes so we cannot fight back. But as you can see our patience has worn off and I doubt that we are going to let what you want happen. After all you want to bite the hand that feeds you and all the other lazy useless pieces of sh..t inclusive of the ANC. bE warned should your type succeed in bringing this country to a starving wore torn state as is the case in most countries north of our border, you will be crying tears of regret and holding your begging hand out for us to feed you. I am trying to be positive from the black people I know, who thank heavens are not like you, I just hope that the majority do share your views

Lee van Zyl on November 20, 2009, 4:57 pm

I predicted this from Day 1 of the Mandela presidency. In fact, it happened under his nose, while he was preaching rainbow nation clap-trap. But, of course, I was told I was negative.

Well, fact is, while everyone in South Africa was told to be positive, it was these dunderheads who made sure that only their bank balances were in the positive with these schemes. The irony, though, is that those who were steadfastly positive, well, their bank balances are constantly in the negative, despite the positive assurances of the dunderheads. Go figure, it gets so ridiculous!

Mao Brac on November 20, 2009, 5:02 pm

Correction to my last sentence should read do not share your views. Nothing I have belongs to you or any one else I used my abilities to be a rational human being to have what I have got. Lets see if you have the ability to do it on your own without having it served to you on a platter. You are lazy and expect to get without deserving it. From what you say I wonder if you passed grade 6 as Ican see you lack the necessary brain cells to have achieved this.

Lee van Zyl on November 20, 2009, 5:06 pm

This Gillingham guy is the quintessential opportunist. Seems he has done very well with little education and jobs in both regimes- what a sly one....

Jacqui Rennie on November 20, 2009, 5:07 pm

Heh heh - African Mzansi, and you're calling *me* angry. It's called "projection" buddy -- look it up! Not only are you racist, but you're sexist as well. Do you even realise how you come across? You sound just like PW Botha wagging his finger at those opposed to apartheid "If you don't like it in SA then leave the country." Worse, you sound like a three year old ("If you don't like my toys then go home!") Seems like you have nothing substantive to comment.

And yes, I am angry - and so should anyone with sense be -- or don't you care that more and more of our people are dying every day in this wonderful new country of ours while the politicians fiddle? I'm actually the real patriot. You should grow up, or go into therapy to relieve some of your anger -- it's really not helping you to think clearly. Or maybe you should visit Canada, and see how a real democracy is supposed to work. Or maybe you're afraid that once you're there, you'll wake up, smell the maple syrup, and not want to come back. Aah -- you can only dream...

Ella Hume on November 20, 2009, 6:20 pm

Oh - and I don't think mbo mbonyane is for real -- nice one pal - it's called "satire", right?

Ella Hume on November 20, 2009, 6:21 pm

Oh - and moloko moloko - thanks for the support. The scary thing is that Mzansi, et al, reflect the views (I won't dignify them by calling them "thoughts") of way too many SAfricans. Cry the beloved country indeed.

Ella Hume on November 20, 2009, 6:25 pm

The Bosasa thing has been in the Mail and Guardian ages ago. So how come when it is finally reported through government structures it's all "shock" at Parlaiment? Don't they read the Mail and Guardian?

Marius de Kock on November 21, 2009, 11:53 am

Gillingham does not have a tertiary qualification......surprise surprise.

Why did the other people qualifications left out.At least Gillingham has a matric;same can't be said for Zuma and about 89% of people in the government and public service. Continue to vote them to power you stupid people.

THE ANC GOVERNMENT IS THE MOST CORRUPT IN AFRICA,AND THEY HAVE SWEPT A LOT UNDER THE CARPET,TO THEM BEING IN GOVERNMENT IS ALL ABOUT MONEY.

Evans Mazi on November 21, 2009, 2:40 pm

mbo mbonyane..........WHAT AN ARSEHOLE MTF

Evans Mazi on November 21, 2009, 2:49 pm

Instead of using this platform to formulate strategies of how to help curb corruption, all of you resort to name calling ala Kader Asmal.

I am tempted to ask: If things are so bad for you lot why are still here? Hasn't the Perth lure taken effect yet?
Or are you still here 'cause your arses are broke? WTF!

ephraim ndlovu on November 22, 2009, 12:14 pm

South Africans should not feel so alone suffering under a corrupt government. Look at the USA, billions of tax dollars are directed into corporations that 'lobby' politicions. What the people need or want is ignored. Look at the lack of health care reform, look at the response to the recession: a bank 'bail out', look at the continuing of the Afghanistan war. South Africa politicions are not the 'black sheep' they are merely part of the flock. If you would like to find the full extent of USA corruption visit www.publicintegrity.org

chris wylde on November 23, 2009, 7:16 am

WOW, a lively one this one. But a point no-one is raising.
Other than the tenders still getting awarded to a company that was ‘under investigation’ and the ‘sitting on the report’ what do we know? Hmmm, they’re Mbeki’s mates. Is this really a corruption drive or just a changing of the guys who are allocated juicy tenders? When someone aligned to the Zuma collective is nailed, I’ll change my opinion

Lawrence on November 23, 2009, 1:15 pm

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