9 April 2000
Pretoria - Communications Minister Dr Ivy Matsepe Casaburri says she is not aware of the presence of Minister Essop Pahad at the February secret bosberaad where the choosing of Cell-C as the preferred bidder for the cellular licence is said to have been made. Dr Matsepe-Casaburri was responding to Sunday newspaper reports claiming that Dr Essop Pahad, Minister in the President's Office, was present at the meeting.
"It is the first time that I hear Minister Pahad was supposed to have been there. I am not aware of his presence there," said Dr Casaburri.
As a matter of public interest, Dr Matsepe-Casaburri said the SATRA chairperson should perhaps state names of people who attended the bosberaad.
Responding to reported claims of ANC MP Peter Mokaba's link in the cellular phone business, she said: "It is first time I hear that Mokaba is in the business."
ISSUED : BRIAN SOKUTU, SENIOR MANAGER: MEDIA ON BEHALF OF
COMMUNICATIONS MINISTER DR IVY MATSEPE-CASABURRI