The Democratic Alliance (DA) has noted allegations made in the media by the former HOD for Police, Roads and Transport in the Free State, Sipho Samuel Mtakati, that the Premier of the Free State, Sisi Ntombela, has allegedly used her position in the province to influence a tender process.

Whilst these allegations are serious, the DA would like to encourage the former HOD, that if he has evidence of this wrongdoing to report these irregular activities to the SAPS.

The DA challenges the former HOD to provide us with the case number after he has reported the matter to the SAPS, and we will also submit questions in the Free State Legislature to confirm the case number for this matter and receive more specific details about the alleged attempts by the Premier to influence tender processes.

If the former HOD fails to provide us with the case number and fails to report the matter to the SAPS, we will have no choice but to lay criminal charges against the former HOD, in terms of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act. In terms of the Act, any person who holds a position of authority who knows or ought reasonably to have known or suspected that any other person has committed an offence (of corruption) in terms of sections 3 to 16 or 20 to 21 of the Act or theft, fraud, extortion, forgery or uttering of a forged document involving an amount of R100 000,00 or more, must report such knowledge or suspicion or cause such knowledge or suspicion to be reported to any police official. The Act provides that any person who fails to report such corrupt activities is guilty of an offence

The DA are tired of politicians and officials making allegations and grandstanding in the media. If people have evidence of unlawful activities they have a moral duty as well as a legislative obligation to report these crimes to the SAPS.

The comments by the former HOD, Sipho Samuel Mtakati, is a vindication of the DA’s position that the ANC are unfit to govern and are more divided than ever before. As the ANC’s factionalism consumes their efforts, the DA is uniting communities around our promise of better service delivery.

 

Issued by Dr Roy Jankielsohn MPL - Leader of the Opposition in the Free State