DA receives long-awaited Oilgate documents
The Democratic Alliance (DA) on Monday received its long-awaited documents relating to the so-called Oilgate scandal from state oil company PetroSA.
DA spokesperson Gareth van Onselen said PetroSA has handed over about 30 documents, including contracts between black economic empowerment company Imvume Management and itself.
The DA will now study the documents to ensure PetroSA has fully complied with the October 23 Cape High Court order to hand over the documents to the DA.
This is a “great victory for the DA and the public”, and the documents will be posted on the party’s website for public scrutiny as soon as possible, Van Onselen said.
Last month, the DA and PetroSA settled their dispute over the documents.
Under the agreement—made an order of the court by Cape Deputy Judge President Jeanette Traverso—PetroSA had to supply the DA with documents relating to the Oilgate transaction between itself and Imvume by November 13. PetroSA also had to pay the costs.
The case stemmed from the DA’s request in May last year to PetroSA under the Promotion of Access to Information Act for all the documentation relating to the 2002 contract between PetroSA and Imvume.
The Oilgate matter arose out of the December 2003 advance payment by PetroSA of R15-million to Imvume Management to buy oil condensate.
This resulted in PetroSA having to pay twice for the oil condensate. The second time the payment was to the primary supplier, Glencore International, to cover the shortfall.—Sapa
