GAUTENG TRANSPORT CORRUPTION PROBE MUST GO FURTHER

I welcome the announced probe into suspected corruption in 13 contracts worth more than R1 billion in the Gauteng Roads and Transport Department. According to MEC Ismail Vadi, these contracts were awarded shortly after he took office in November last year.

The contracts under investigation include R900-million for road construction, R49-million for security, R35 million for new driver-learner testing stations, R4 million for a biometric verification system and R1,3-million for the intelligent number plate project.

It is amazing that such a huge amount in suspect contracts could occur in such a short period. This shows the deep rot in this department that stretches back many years to when it was headed by Mr Sibusiso Buthelezi.

A report by the Resolve Group into corruption allegations against Buthelezi found many areas of grave concern, but there has not yet been effective follow-up on their findings and recommendations. Buthelezi himself was let off the hook when he left by mutual agreement in November 2009 with a R1 million pay-out. My estimate is that total corruption in this department over the years amounts to many billions of rand.

In my view, this could only have happened with high-level connivance. Vadi's probe covers only the tip of a very large ice-berg. He should extend it to include all fishy contracts awarded in the past five years by his department.

There needs to be full accountability including criminal charges if indicated, no matter who may be implicated. Efforts should also be made to recover as much misappropriated money as possible.

Statement by Jack Bloom MPL, DA Gauteng Corruption Spokesman, January 14 2011

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