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The Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) today briefed the Police Portfolio Committee on the acquisition of its new Pretoria headquarters, which are linked to controversial businessman Roux Shabangu. The meeting was terminated due to the unsatisfactory explanation of the process followed in the procurement of the lease.

In order to get to truth, I will today be writing to the Chairperson, Ms Sindy Chikunga, to request that Roux Shabangu be summoned to appear before the Police Portfolio Committee. This is particularly important considering the contractual agreements entered into between Roux Shabangu and the Department of Public Works.

According to National Assembly Rule 138, a portfolio committee has the power to “summon any person to appear before it to give evidence on oath or affirmation, or to produce documents.”

The Department of Public Works will also be summoned to the committee to explain the process whereby the ICD’s rental expenditure jumped from R4 million to more than R15 million in one year.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has already requested that the Public Protector investigate the procurement process.

Both the committee and the public deserve answers on the continued questionable relationship between government and Roux Shabangu. Of particular concern are the following:
The inflated and exorbitant rental paid for Shabangu buildings;
The potential preferential treatment apparently given to Shabangu due to his political connections; and
The termination of a R20 million construction contract with Shabangu’s company for its failure to build a police station in Mpumalanga.
It is essential that Roux Shabangu, along with the Department of Public Works, is hauled before the committee to provide it with a long overdue explanation for what has become a deeply suspicious relationship between a vast government department and a politically connected individual.