Protector clears Gauteng premier of corruption

Public Protector Thuli Madonsela has cleared Gauteng premier Nomvula Mokonyane on claims of corruption, Mokonyane’s office said on Saturday.

Madonsela had found that Mokonyane “did not act in breach of the provisions and is consequently not guilty of any unethical behaviour”, the premier’s office said in a statement.

The probe was into Mokonyane’s involvement in a R30-million deal to beautify the Albertina Sisulu highway.

Her office said Madonsela found that although the Gauteng roads and transport department did deviate from normal procedure, this was within the limits of the law.

Mokonyane said she had explained that normal procedure was not followed when awarding the contract because the road had to be ready before the Soccer World Cup.

The probe was undertaken after the Democratic Alliance’s Gauteng leader Jack Bloom accused Mokonyane of influencing the awarding of the contract, without it going to tender.

Mokonyane said she was pleased with the findings.

“It’s clear that Mr Bloom’s submissions were motivated by nefarious ends which had nothing to do with the pursuit of clean governance and development,” she said, adding that she remained committed to a clean and transparent government.

Bloom could not be reached for comment. - Sapa