allegations
6 December 2006
On arrival back at his office following the sitting of the Provincial
Legislature this afternoon, Premier Ebrahim Rasool received confirmation from
Brimstone, the controlling company which purchased Novel Garments, that there
was no conflict of interest on the part of two provincial administration
employees.
Neither Mr Mzwandile Hewu, head of the Social Services and Poverty
Alleviation Ministry, nor Mr Alan Roberts, advisor to the Premier, both of whom
are board members of Brimstone, participated in discussions on the purchase of
Novel. Mr Fred Robertson, chairman of Brimstone, confirmed that while Hewu and
Roberts sit on the board of Brimstone, Novel was in fact bought by The House of
Monatic, a subsidiary of Brimstone with its own decision-making board of which
the two officials are not members.
Brimstone board members were merely informed of the purchase as a courtesy.
The Premier earlier clarified that Mr Yousuf Pahad, the chairperson of Wesgro,
had excused himself from discussions in Wesgro, on the sale of Novel.
Premier Rasool reiterates that there was "nothing illegal, corrupt or
nepotistic about the sale of Novel to Brimstone" and salutes all those involved
in the fight to save every factory and job in the clothing industry.
Enquiries:
Shado Twala
Spokesperson of the Premier
Tel: (021) 483 5642
Cell: 083 640 6771
E-mail: stwala@pgwc.gov.za
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Western Cape Provincial Government
6 December 2006
Source: Western Provincial Government (http://www.capegateway.gov.za)
