AMID investigations by the Public Protector Thuli Madonsela and elite police unit Hawks, the controversial Nelson Mandela funeral scandal has taken a new twist.Eastern Cape provincial planning and treasury (PPT) MEC Sakhumzi Somyo has appointed a private firm to probe his department.
However, the office of premier Phumulo Masualle are in the dark about such investigations.
Somyo appointed Pretoria-based George Fivaz Forensic and Risk investigators. He wants to know if the mandate by a provincial executive council resolution to assist in the funeral of the late former state president Nelson Mandela was carried out by the province.
The private firm is expected to question PPT head Marion Mbina-Mthembu, who was tasked to oversee and monitor the payments of funds, on the matter.
It is likely that Masualle, who was finance MEC at the time, will also be called to answer questions.
The department, under Mbina-Mthembu’s watch, paid R250000 into Masualle’s private account which he rejected. The money was paid back immediately and a special paycard was created.
Treasury spokeswoman Nosisa Sogayise confirmed the investigations were being undertaken and said “there were issues” of control that needed to be dealt with.
THE number of probes into how state funds were spent for the Nelson Mandela funeral last year is mounting.
Finance MEC Sakhumzi Somyo yesterday announced an investigation into the spending, adding to at least three others in progress.
At the heart are allegations the money was used without proper measures set by Treasury being followed.
It was stated that no funds be used to buy T-shirts or food, but despite this instruction millions of rands were spent for such purposes.
The allegations led to a number of officials being arrested and charged for their alleged involvement.
The Hawks, public protector and private investigators are investigating. The public protector last week announced it was investigating four municipalities, the Eastern Cape Development Corporation and provincial government, including:
- The ECDC for R22.2-million used to pay service providers for preparations for the funeral;
- Buffalo City Metro for R5.985-million paid to a company ostensibly to transport mourners;
- King Sabata Dalindyebo municipality’s spending of R21-million;
- The Nelson Mandela Bay Metro for its spending of R9-million; and
- OR Tambo district municipality for spending R5-million.
Last month, the Hawks confirmed they were conducting a “multi-legged” investigation into a number of government institutions.
The ECDC itself has appointed Fundudzi Forensic Services to investigate how the funds were spent while Somyo appointed George Fivaz and Risk to investigate the actions of his department.
“It is of paramount importance that we deal with controls as the department that is responsible for public finance,” said Sogayise.
However, provincial government spokeswoman Nomfanelo Kota said they were not aware of the investigation.
“The provincial DDG made it clear in an instruction and there was a media statement on that that all the investigations about Mandela funeral are being handled by the public protector and no one was to investigate unless that is informed by the public protector’s report,” said Kota.
Sogayise said they respected investigations being carried out on the matter by other state institutions.
“As part of the government we are co-operating with the investigations.”
The Daily Dispatch has seen the letter appointing the company, which was approved by Somyo.
The letter said the service provider was to undertake an investigation and release a report.
It would then use this report submitted and any evidence obtained to determine whether “the best procedures” were followed in executing the provincial executive resolution in supporting the funeral arrangements.
“This is to assist the MEC to respond adequately on any inquiry into the matter,” read the report.
The letter said the appointed company must be able to analyse documentation or evidence that would be made available and “validate the assertions in the reports and any oral evidence that would have been given to indicate any possibilities for corrupt activities that may need further probing”.
Yesterday, George Fivaz Forensic and Risk's official, Lorraine Muller said she was not aware of such an investigation.
“However I've forwarded the request to Mr George Fivaz,” said Muller.
After Mandela’s death, the Eastern Cape executive committee held a special executive council meeting on December 6 when it resolved that the ECDC would be used as the paymaster. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
Finance MEC seeks new Madiba fund probe
Eastern Cape provincial planning and treasury (PPT) MEC Sakhumzi Somyo has appointed a private firm to probe his department.
However, the office of premier Phumulo Masualle are in the dark about such investigations.
Somyo appointed Pretoria-based George Fivaz Forensic and Risk investigators. He wants to know if the mandate by a provincial executive council resolution to assist in the funeral of the late former state president Nelson Mandela was carried out by the province.
The private firm is expected to question PPT head Marion Mbina-Mthembu, who was tasked to oversee and monitor the payments of funds, on the matter.
It is likely that Masualle, who was finance MEC at the time, will also be called to answer questions.
The department, under Mbina-Mthembu’s watch, paid R250000 into Masualle’s private account which he rejected. The money was paid back immediately and a special paycard was created.
Treasury spokeswoman Nosisa Sogayise confirmed the investigations were being undertaken and said “there were issues” of control that needed to be dealt with.
THE number of probes into how state funds were spent for the Nelson Mandela funeral last year is mounting.
Finance MEC Sakhumzi Somyo yesterday announced an investigation into the spending, adding to at least three others in progress.
At the heart are allegations the money was used without proper measures set by Treasury being followed.
It was stated that no funds be used to buy T-shirts or food, but despite this instruction millions of rands were spent for such purposes.
The allegations led to a number of officials being arrested and charged for their alleged involvement.
The Hawks, public protector and private investigators are investigating. The public protector last week announced it was investigating four municipalities, the Eastern Cape Development Corporation and provincial government, including:
Last month, the Hawks confirmed they were conducting a “multi-legged” investigation into a number of government institutions.
The ECDC itself has appointed Fundudzi Forensic Services to investigate how the funds were spent while Somyo appointed George Fivaz and Risk to investigate the actions of his department.
“It is of paramount importance that we deal with controls as the department that is responsible for public finance,” said Sogayise.
However, provincial government spokeswoman Nomfanelo Kota said they were not aware of the investigation.
“The provincial DDG made it clear in an instruction and there was a media statement on that that all the investigations about Mandela funeral are being handled by the public protector and no one was to investigate unless that is informed by the public protector’s report,” said Kota.
Sogayise said they respected investigations being carried out on the matter by other state institutions.
“As part of the government we are co-operating with the investigations.”
The Daily Dispatch has seen the letter appointing the company, which was approved by Somyo.
The letter said the service provider was to undertake an investigation and release a report.
It would then use this report submitted and any evidence obtained to determine whether “the best procedures” were followed in executing the provincial executive resolution in supporting the funeral arrangements.
“This is to assist the MEC to respond adequately on any inquiry into the matter,” read the report.
The letter said the appointed company must be able to analyse documentation or evidence that would be made available and “validate the assertions in the reports and any oral evidence that would have been given to indicate any possibilities for corrupt activities that may need further probing”.
Yesterday, George Fivaz Forensic and Risk's official, Lorraine Muller said she was not aware of such an investigation.
“However I've forwarded the request to Mr George Fivaz,” said Muller.
After Mandela’s death, the Eastern Cape executive committee held a special executive council meeting on December 6 when it resolved that the ECDC would be used as the paymaster. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
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