The Democratic Alliance (DA) on Monday called for a law change to ensure scrutiny of government business deals involving family members of the president.
DA parliamentary leader Athol Trollip said it was necessary because the number of President Jacob Zuma’s family members benefiting from “mega tenders” without proper procurement procedures, or having the necessary experience, was hampering service delivery.
“Many people linked to the president are securing contracts, but are too inexperienced to deliver. The lack of experience ultimately undermines service delivery,” he told reporters.
Trollip singled out a controversial recommendation that the Billion Group — linked to Zuma’s son-in-law Lonwabo Sambudla — be awarded a R1-billion contract from the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA).
He said the department had put the tender to build a new headquarters on hold because of a lack of funding, but the minister pushed for the deal to go ahead regardless.
“Reports indicate that both Public Service and Administration Minister Richard Baloyi and a senior adviser to Public Works Minister Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde pushed for the deal to go ahead, despite advice from public service department staff and the national treasury that the DPSA could not afford the new premises.
“In addition, Mr Sambudla was reportedly personally involved in lobbying for the Billion Group to be awarded the contract.”
Prejudices
Trollip said the take-over of the Pamodzi mines by industry newcomer Aurora, of which Zuma’s nephew Khulubuse Zuma is a director, resulted in nothing but asset stripping and the loss of hundreds of jobs.
Favouring Zuma’s family members had not only proved unsound business, but was also “prejudicing the rights of other individuals” to compete for contracts.
He said the DA would table a private members’ Bill proposing the Executive Members Ethics Act be amended to ensure the Auditor General scrutinises deals involving the president’s relatives.
In addition, the proposal calls for proper publicising of the public part of the president’s financial disclosure — which can at the moment only be seen by appointment at Tuynhuys — and for the Public Protector to oversee his declaration of interests and gifts.
“Currently, the president is asked to adjudicate his own interests, and that is in itself a conflict of interest.”
Trollip was at pains to point out the proposal was not an attack on Zuma or his family.
“This is about good governance, not about taking revenge on anybody. As the opposition we must make sure that proper tender process is observed. We will ask all the uncomfortable questions.”
‘Stillborn’
Trollip reiterated a call for parliamentary oversight of the presidency and said that though initially the ANC had been amenable to the idea, all steps in that direction had been halted.
The DA had repeatedly said it was untenable that the presidency, which incorporated two ministries and the National Youth Development Agency, had no direct parliamentary oversight.
Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe indicated in reply to a question that the ANC would not be averse to changing this.
A meeting was called to set up a portfolio committee for the presidency last year, but was cancelled. The chief whip’s office subsequently indicated the matter would not be pursued.
“It was stillborn,” Trollip said.
He said he had also raised the issue with Zuma in person, but never received a direct answer. — Sapa