The Democratic Alliance (DA) on Thursday called for a commission of inquiry into the tender arrangements between the Department of Correctional Services and the company Sondolo IT.
”How much more needs to be revealed before Minister of Correctional Services Ngconde Balfour institutes a serious investigation into the allegedly irregular and underhanded tender arrangement between his department and Sondolo IT,” said James Selfe, DA spokesperson on correctional services.
”The minister needs to show the nation that he is serious about fighting corruption within his department by appointing a commission of inquiry to investigate.”
The DA was reacting to a newspaper report on Thursday naming high-profile individuals with links to the African National Congress as shareholders in Sondolo IT, which is part of the Bosasa group.
It is alleged that the company was involved in the drawing-up of the department’s security tender worth R237-million, which was later awarded to it.
Selfe said the allegations of tender wangling between the department and Sondolo IT are another serious blow to a department already struggling to overcome a negative image as far as corruption is concerned.
”Indeed, the recently, and reluctantly released, Jali Commission report into corruption and maladministration in our prisons revealed that corruption is endemic within the Department of Correctional Services,” said Selfe.
The DA said if the minister is serious about stamping out corruption in his department, he should already have called for a commission of inquiry into the alleged irregular dealings. — Sapa