Issued by: The Ministry of Home Affairs
MEDIA RELEASE BY THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS: MANGOSUTHU BUTHELEZI
19 March 1996
The Office for Serious Economic Offences has declined to institute a formal inquiry into the awarding of the contract by the State Tender Board for the technology to be utilized in the issuing of the new South African passport by the Department of Home Affairs. This follows speculation in this regard, prompted by one-sided reports in the Business Day and the Financial Mail.
The Director of the Office for Serious Economic Offences has indicated that he is not satisfied that there is reason to suspect that an offence has been committed and consequently a formal inquiry will not be instituted.
The row over the awarding of the tender for the supply of advanced equipment was sparked after claims by the German firm Maurer Electronics that there had been irregularities in the awarding of the tender to the British firm De La Rue.
The finding by the Office for Serious Economic Offences has again confirmed my trust in the officials that dealt with this matter and the proven integrity of the systems applicable to awarding of tenders is not misplaced.
ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
ENQUIRIES: HENNIE MEYER 012-3148613