GAUTENG PREMIER CAPITULATES TO "ALEX MAFIA"

Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane has given up the fight against corruption by the so-called "Alex Mafia" that is allegedly linked to Gauteng ANC Chairperson Paul Mashatile.

This is my conclusion after she told the Legislature today in reply to my questions that the controversial Resolve Group report into corruption in the Gauteng Public Transport, Roads and Works Department had not been taken further than her own office.

When this report was made public on 3 May 2010 Mokonyane said that she had referred it to the Presidency, which could refer it to bodies like the National Treasury or the Special Investigating Unit. "None of them are off the hook," she is reported to have said.

Her turnaround is deplorable. She now says that recommendations in the report relating to maladministration were being addressed but this did not mean that "money was taken".

Former Head of Department, Mr Sibusiso Buthelezi was suspended as a result of this report, and left in November 2009 with a R1 million payout after an agreed settlement. The damning findings that pointed to massive corruption have been swept under the carpet by the premier.

This is probably because Buthelezi is a crony of ANC Gauteng Chairperson Paul Mashatile and allegedly linked to the so-called "Alex Mafia" that allegedly benefited from lucrative government contracts.

This is an extremely serious matter. Did Mokonyane lie when she said that the report had been referred to President Jacob Zuma's office for action? She reported said at the time that the correct procedure was to hand it over to the Presidency.

This report was released by Mokonyane days before she suffered defeat against Mashatile for the position of ANC Gauteng Chairperson. It seems to me that she has capitulated in this matter. No-one has been held to account for hundreds of millions of rand wasted at this department.

This cover-up is costing us dearly. Mokonyane's credibility in fighting corruption lies in tatters.

Statement issued by Jack Bloom MPL, DA Gauteng Caucus Leader, June 14 2011

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