An official inquiry has concluded that Western Cape Premier Ebrahim Rasool misled his legislature, a source in the legislature said on Thursday.
The multiparty inquiry was set up to investigate contradictory statements last year by Rasool and the provincial auditor general (AG) on spending on security upgrades to the home of community safety minister Leonard Ramatlakane.
It was led by the deputy speaker of the legislature, Yousuf Gabru, who is a member of Rasool’s African National Congress (ANC), after the ANC unexpectedly supported a Democratic Alliance call for a probe.
Rasool said in a media statement last year that the AG had declared that the overspending was through lack of administrative oversight, rather than corruption, and had recommended it be condoned.
He repeated the claims in the legislature.
Ramatlakane spent R347 716 beefing up security at his home, even though provincial ministers were entitled to spend only R100 000 for this purpose.
He promised in December last year he would pay back the extra R247 716.
Though the report has not yet been made public, it will eventually go before the full house. — Sapa