The National Home Builders Registration Council (NHBRC) has been advised to investigate allegations against CEO Sipho Mashinini, including the untoward appointment of a senior Special Investigating Unit (SIU) official, Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale said on Tuesday.

He said that the SIU official, Vanessa Somiah, was offered or applied for a senior post in the NHBRC in collusion with Mashinini, while investigating corruption allegations within the NHBRC.

“It is shocking to realise how some of those who are supposed to be in authority in our campaign against corruption can undertake such reprehensible measures to undermine this fight,” Sexwale said.

The Minister revealed that Somiah was also used as a witness against some of the NHBRC employees who were whistleblowers, while still employed at the SIU.

The NHBRC council has been requested to explain the appointment, and the council has been advised to investigate specific allegations against Mashinini. Sexwale also said that the investigations around Mashinini should not be conducted while he is in office.

“To date, the council has always assured me of its complete cooperation with the Ministry and the SIU in respect of the original investigation,” he added.

Last year, a National Audit Task Team was established to work with the SIU to deal with the scourge of corruption within the housing sector.

The department said several people, whistleblowers included, and a member of the Portfolio Committee on Human Settlements, raised concerns regarding possible conflict of interest and corruption at the NHBRC.

“Our mandate of Human Settlements requires us to be vigilant in the protection of public funds. The NHBRC is a regulatory body that virtually monitors or ‘polices’ our department regarding the construction of housing countrywide. It must therefore continue to be seen as such,” Sexwale stressed.

NHBRC chairperson Dr Vukine Mehana said that the coucil was aware of the Minister's concerns. "An investigation is under way regarding the allegations and our future actions will be determined by the findings of the investigation," he told Engineering News Online.