Protector slams Cele’s cops for ‘unlawful’ lease

The police’s attempts to lease a building in Durban from property tycoon Roux Shabangu amounted to maladministration, the Public Protector Thuli Madonsela said on Thursday.

• Download the Public Protector’s full report on the lease

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The failure of police chief General Bheki Cele to ensure that the correct tender procedures were followed with respect to the Transnet Building amounted to maladministration, Madonsela told reporters in Pretoria.

She said the conduct of public works officials and senior police officials was improper and unlawful.

The Durban lease would have been worth R1.16-billion over 10 years.

Madonsela said the market value of the building meant it should have been leased at R40 a square metre and not the R125 per square metre ultimately agreed on. — Sapa