DA calls for the immediate dismissal of Public Works Minister

In light of Minister of Public Works Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde's involvement in the SAPS lease deals scandal, the Democratic Alliance (DA) will be writing to President Jacob Zuma asking for her immediate dismissal. The findings regarding the lease deal, announced by Public Protector, Adv Thuli Madonsela this week, came four months after the release of her office's initial report into the R500-million lease deal signed between Police Commissioner Bheki Cele and Roux Shabangu, which found this agreement to have been fundamentally flawed and invalid.

The manner in which the SAPS lease deals in question were conducted indicates a total disregard, on the part of both Commissioner Cele and Minister Mahlangu-Nkabinde, for the checks and balances designed to prevent the abuse of public funds.

According to Adv Madonsela's most recent report, the Minister chose to ignore legal advice given to her regarding the leases, which indicated that the leases were invalid. Furthermore, the Public Works department valued the buildings in question at a rental value of R6 million in per month. The rental value was in fact not worth more than R1.8 million a month. Adv Madonsela has subsequently described the Minister's conduct regarding the scandal as "improper" and "failing to meet the requisite stewardship expected of her".

Adv. Madonsela's has recommended that urgent steps are taken to "ensure appropriate action is instituted against all the relevant officials that acted in contravention of the law, policy and other prescripts in respect of the procurement processes referred to in this report." The DA believes that nothing less than the dismissal of the Minister, as head of the country's primary procurement body, is appropriate in this regard.

The way in which President Jacob Zuma responds to the Public Protectors recommended remedial action regarding the improper and unlawful conduct of those officials involved in the lease scandal, will be a true test of his commitment to accountability and rooting out corruption in government.  President Zuma, whose position has been compromised by corruption allegations leveled against him in the past, and who will be standing for re-election in the coming months, needs to be prepared to act as President of this country and not as President of the ANC in this regard. 

Statement issued by Ian Davidson MP, DA Chief Whip, July 17 2011

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