Eastern Cape Premier Nosimo Balindlela has yet to take disciplinary action against provincial minister of agriculture Max Mamase, although it was revealed a month ago that he used government funds to sponsor an illegal R16-million empowerment deal, allegedly in return for a mansion.
The premier has also stopped an investigation by the provincial legislature into the affair, claiming it must await a provincial cabinet probe.
Trade unionists and other political parties are up in arms.
”This is double standards,” said Xola Pakati, regional secretary of the Congress of South African Trade Unions. ”Other provincial ministers and government officials have been removed from office prior to having been found guilty of any wrong- doing,” said Pakati.
”Our concern is that it is clear that Mamase flouted several departmental regulations, which he hasn’t denied, yet no action has been taken against him. This is purely political.”
The Democratic Alliance’s provincial leader, Athol Trollip, said he had spoken to Balindlela about the matter.
”I have told the premier that she has taken action against other provincial ministers and senior officials on suggestions of corruption and she needs to show consistency by taking similar action against Mamase.
”That hasn’t happened,” said Trollip.
In September Balindlela sacked provincial finance minister Enoch Godongwana on still unclear allegations of mismanagement.
Balindlela also suspended the director general of the provincial treasury, Monde Tom, allegedly holding him responsible for the provincial government’s R1,2-billion deficit.
Two months ago the Mail & Guardian revealed that Mamase rode roughshod over provincial finance regulations and ordered his department to fund the acquisition of a portion of citrus farmer Norman Benjamin’s farms near Port Alfred — at double the market value — by an empowerment trust called Kangela.
About 44 farm workers, alleged to be beneficiaries of the trust, are unaware that they are shareholders in the deal.
A month ago the M&G revealed that Mamase may have received bond payments for his East London home from Benjamin at R15 000 a month. The agriculture portfolio committee asked Mamase to explain, but he did not.
Since then he appears to have been shielded by Balindlela, who claims to have instituted her own investigation into the matter.
According to the chairperson of the portfolio committee, Phila Mkayi, the committee has been told to stop discussing the matter because cabinet is handling it. ”The premier has said that she will handle the matter and then pass it to the portfolio committee to discuss. We have been given no time frames.”
The M&G understands that a discussion about disciplinary action against Mamase at an African National Congress caucus meeting two weeks ago was kicked off the agenda minutes before the meeting convened. Comment had not arrived at the time of going to press.
Masiza Mazizi, the premier’s spokesperson said: ”She [Balindlela] is following all the relevant government processes regarding this matter and will brief the media and the public when the applicable time comes.”