Suspended national police commissioner Bheki Cele signed off on a dodgy R26-million World Cup tender, the Sunday Times reported.
The contract awarded to Thoshan Panday, the owner of Goldcoast Trading, never went out to tender, the newspaper reported.
The contract was to provide accommodation for 1Â 280 police officers during the Soccer World Cup.
Treasury rules state that all government contracts worth more than R500Â 000 should be out to tender.
According to the Sunday Times, three police officials in key positions were showered with gifts by Panday to ensure the deal was approved.
The deal was signed by Cele on June 7 2010, after his officials said there was no time “to advertise the bid”, according to the report.
Cele told the Sunday Times that the deal was brought to him and that he did not know Panday.
The Sunday Times first exposed Cele’s approval of leases for two police buildings — both owned by property mogul Roux Shabangu, at the vastly inflated price of over R1.6-billion. The deal was never put out to tender and was instead apparently negotiated directly with Shabangu.
Meanwhile, the inquiry into the conduct of Cele is scheduled to restart this Friday after a key witness stalled proceedings on March 16, claiming she was sick and could not testify.
Public works official Mokgaetji Tlolane told the board of inquiry investigating misconduct allegations against Cele that she first needed to see a doctor before she gave evidence. – Sapa