The DA welcomes the forensic probe by auditing firm, KPMG, into the recently-awarded tender by the Department of Correctional Services for electronic monitoring. This is a victory for the DA following my calls to have this matter investigated by the Public Protector or the Department during the Budget Debate last week.

The DA has consistently supported electronic tagging, and were therefore pleased when at last, a pilot project was initiated.

However, this satisfaction was short-lived because this R87 million contract was awarded with blatant disregard of supply chain management procedures, apparently at the insistence of the then acting National Commissioner, Mrs Jolingana.

At the time of the awarding of this contract I asked the Public Protector to investigate the matter, but it is apparent that Minister Mike Masutha has decided to deal with the matter himself.

The DA commends the Minister Masutha for the steps he is taking to uncover the truth about this tender process.
 
The Minister must continue in this way and be transparent and make public the findings of this forensic probe.
The DA looks forward to the outcome of this investigation and to it being made public and tabled in Parliament.