Dodgy defence force air transport tender must be investigated by the Auditor-General
29 August 2014
I will request the Auditor-General, Mr Kimi Makwetu, to investigate alleged irregularities in awarding a tender for the transportation of troops and supporting equipment by the Department of Defence.
Today the Mail & Guardian reveals that an aircraft brokering company called Y&P Logistics, allegedly received more than R200 million worth of air transport contracts, despite allegedly failing to supply air transport services during the Battle of Bangui, in 2013.
This matter has been on-going for months and relates to alleged irregularities in the awarding of a tender for "Chartering of Aircraft for the Transportation of Troops and Supporting Equipment for Foreign Missions on Behalf of the Department of Defence of the Republic of South Africa" by the Department of Defence.
At a meeting of the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans 09 July 2014 I asked the Secretary of Defence, Dr Sam Gulube, whether the Defence Department were investigating alleged irregularities in the awarding tender for the transportation of troops and supporting equipment for the Defence Force.
The reply from the Secretary of Defence, Dr Sam Gulube, which I received on 20 August 2014, was as follows:
"During the Battle of Bangui, there was a small SANDF contingent deployed over the period 2 to 4 January 2013, using chartered IL-76 and SAAF C130 aircraft. The proper approved procurement process was followed in obtaining the required chartered aircraft. The DOD has since received a claim from a company that alleges to have been positioned to supply Air Transport service at the time of the CAR evacuation. The DOD has instituted a Board of Inquiry on the matter and the investigation is still in progress".
What is clear from the reply is that the Defence Department is conducting an internal inquiry into the awarding of air transport contracts during the Battle of Bangui in 2013.
However, the Department of Defence is clearly not conducting an internal inquiry into the alleged irregularities in the awarding tender for the transportation of troops and supporting equipment after the Battle of Bangui in 2013.
I am not going to allow the Defence Department to continue sticking its head in the sand and avoiding a proper investigation into the awarding of this controversial tender.
I will, therefore, request the Auditor-General, Mr Kimi Makwetu, to investigate alleged irregularities in the awarding and in the operation of the tender for "Chartering of Aircraft for the Transportation of Troops and Supporting Equipment for Foreign Missions on Behalf of the Department of Defence of the Republic of South Africa" by the Department of Defence.
Statement issued by David Maynier MP, DA Shadow Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, August 29 2014
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