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The Democratic Alliance has written to President Cyril Ramaphosa requesting that he authorise a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) investigation into the collapse of Daybreak Foods, following serious allegations of irregular expenditure and failures of oversight.

Daybreak’s collapse had devastating consequences: approximately 1,900 workers lost their jobs, more than 350,000 chickens had to be put down, and the Public Investment Corporation’s approximately R2 billion investment was placed substantially at risk.

The DA wants the SIU to investigate allegations surrounding the appointment of the Daybreak Board: severely inflated payments for legal services and marketing; the orchestrated and vexatious litigation against executives who raised concerns; the commissioning of a sham forensic investigation against executives; interference with a further forensic investigation; whether any persons benefitted improperly; and whether the PIC adequately discharged its fiduciary and oversight obligations in relation to its investment.

The DA has also obtained documents purporting to be Blue Apple invoices and a Fundudzi Forensic Services report. Our source cannot be revealed and we cannot vouch for the documents’ veracity.

The purported invoices include millions for CEO induction events, newsletters, promotional items, and “Rugby Game Hospitality” including a branded party bus.

South Africans deserve to know where the money went, who benefited, why investigations were halted and why warnings were not acted upon.

An SIU investigation is now necessary to establish the truth, recover losses where possible and ensure accountability.

The DA will not rest when the pensions savings of government employees are at risk, when approximately 1,900 workers have lost their jobs, and when public funds which have been set aside to protect workers have allegedly been abused.

That is why we have also initiated a private member's bill, the Pension Protection Bill, to free the PIC from political interference and ensure that the directors of the PIC are selected on merit and truly independent.

Issed by Andrew Bateman MP - DA Deputy Spokesperson on Appropriations