National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)
11 September 2007
The Public Protector Advocate Mabedle Lawrence Mushwana has referred a
complaint by Dr Connie Mulder of the Freedom Front Plus regarding alleged
irregularities in the award of a Parliament contract to the National
Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for investigation.
The Public Protector was requested by the Freedom Front Plus to investigate
a Mail and Guardian newspaper allegation that Africa Strategic Asset Protection
won a R32 million access control contract and a R12 million asset tracking
contract for Parliament in circumstances that appeared to be corrupt.
The Public Protector noted that the complaint is based solely on allegations
published by the Mail and Guardian of 24 August 2007. The allegations all
pointed to, or related directly to, corrupt conduct by private individuals,
private entities and public officials, which is prohibited by the provisions of
the Corruption Act, 1992 and/or the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt
Activities Act, 2004.
Such conduct therefore amounts to a criminal offence which should be
investigated and the suspects prosecuted by the NPA.
Section 6(4) (c)(i) of the Public Protector Act, 1994 provides that: "The
Public Protector shall, be competent at a time prior to, during or after an
investigation, if he or she is of the opinion that the facts disclose the
commission of an offence by any person, to bring the matter to the notice of
the relevant authority charged with prosecutions."
The Public Protector's office is established in terms of chapter nine of the
Constitution of South Africa. It strengthens our young constitutional democracy
through, among others, investigating maladministration, delays in service
delivery, and allegations of impropriety or prejudice by public administration
in any sphere of government.
It is an office of last resort, meaning that all other avenues to address a
complaint must be exhausted before the Public Protector is approached. It does
not investigate court decisions and its services are free.
For more information contact:
Charles Phahlane
Tel: 012 366 7006
Cell: 082 856 8188
Issued by: Office of the Public Protector
11 September 2007
Source: SAPA
