DA SLAMS SETH’S APPOINTMENT

THE Democratic Alliance (DA) criticised the government on Sunday for appointing former Strategic Fuel Fund (SFF) chair Seth Phalatse as the new Armscor head. ”Phalatse’s history of maladministration of criminal proportions could not have escaped (Defence) Minister (Mosiuoa) Lekota’s attention. Surely he must be aware of the continuing investigation into the matter, and of the Phalatse’s tainted record in corporate governance?” a DA statement said. The party called for all the new appointees to the Armscor board to declare their financial interests and any potential conflict of interest that may arise from their position. The Mail & Guardian newspaper reported on Friday that Phalatse had admitted he took a US 20 000 cash bribe in May last year. He subsequently returned the money and then assisted prosecutors in their investigations in the case. – Sapa