NPA looking into 3000 page docket on Yolanda Botha
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is currently looking into a 3000 page docket on potentially corrupt activities by ANC MP Yolanda Botha.
This was confirmed in a reply to a DA parliamentary question received today from the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development (see below).
The DA welcomes the indication that a comprehensive investigation into Ms Botha's affairs has been conducted by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and hope that the NPA will be given the space to make its decisions in this case without political influence.
The DA laid corruption charges against Ms Botha on 18 November 2011, after the Parliamentary Ethics Committee backtracked on a decision to impose the strongest possible sanctions against her. The ANC-dominated Ethics Committee watered down an original decision on the matter, despite damning findings indicating that Ms Botha failed to declare her business interests and wilfully misled parliament concerning kickbacks that she received from a business venture. The Committee allowed her to get away with a small fine and a reprimand.
The allegations against Ms Botha go beyond her failure to declare her business interests in parliament. There are also serious concerns around Ms Botha's conduct whilst serving as the head of the Northern Cape department of Social Development, and her reported links to property group Trifecta Investment Holdings to whom she awarded contracts worth more than R50 million for office space leases.
Public representatives should not be allowed to abuse their positions for their own gain.
We will continue to monitor the progress in this case.
Statement issued by Anchen Dreyer MP, DA Shadow Minister of Public Works, October 9 2012
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION NO.: 2512
DATE OF QUESTION: 07 SEPTEMBER 2012
2512. Ms A M Dreyer (DA) to ask the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development:
Whether the National Prosecuting Authority has made a decision with regard to the prosecution of a certain person (name furnished); if not, (a) why not and (b) when does he anticipate that a decision will be made; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW3119E
Name of Person referred to: Yolanda Botha, MP
REPLY:-
I wish to inform the Honourable Member that I have been advised that the docket was submitted to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Northern Cape on 31 July 2012. On 01 August 2012, the case allocation was done. However, the prosecutor that is dealing with this case has not made a decision yet because the docket consists of 15 lever arch files containing over 3000 pages including bank statements, bid documents, service level agreements, lease contracts and affidavits of witnesses.
The matter is receiving the attention it deserves and a decision will be made in due course.
Issued by Parliament, October 9 2012
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