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The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Northern Cape has started a process by which to ensure that there is accountability at state-owned diamond mining company Alexkor for alleged diamond sales losses totalling hundreds of millions of rands.

Allegations made during testimonies presented at the Zondo Commission that losses occurred due to diamond sales taking place way below market-related prices, were denied. There are, however, still too many unanswered questions regarding sales at Alexkor between April 2015 and July 2020.

Over this time period, sales were allegedly effected by diamond sales and marketing company Scarlet Skye Investments (SSI) which was appointed by the Pooling and Sharing Joint Venture (PSJV), between Alexkor and the Richtersveld Mining Company.

The Zondo Commission heard testimony that the SSI had links to the Guptas. Further allegations that the firm’s bid evaluation process was manipulated so that SSI could secure the deal, as well as that SSI was never actually in possession of the statutory diamond licences, have also been reported on.

If there was collusion, in a bid to rip off Alexkor, it cannot be tolerated.

The DA has submitted a request to Minister of Public Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan, to put together a list of names of all people involved in facilitating the appointment of SSI. This issue must be fully interrogated to ensure that if there has been dishonesty and malpractice, that those responsible are held to account.

The DA has worked hard to place the Alexkor issues into the Zondo spotlight. We will continue to work tirelessly as we seek accountability and justice for the people of Namaqualand, who are ultimately the biggest losers in the failures at Alexkor diamond mine.

Issued by The DA