Department of Correctional Services Minister, Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula MP, clarifies status of the Special Investigating Unit’s (SIU) report on alleged procurement irregularities in the department.
In terms of section 4 of the Act that regulates the Special Investigating Unit, evidence which points to the commission of an offence must be referred to the National Prosecuting Authority.
In line with the Act the SIU has referred its report on alleged procurement irregularities in the Department of Correctional Services to the NPA, thus rendering the contents of the report sub-judice as they are likely to be tested in a court of law.
This means therefore the Minister of Correctional Services, the Honourable Ms Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula MP, will not at this stage make public contents of this report until such time legal processes pertaining to this report have been finalised.
However, Minister Mapisa-Nqakula wishes to emphasise that in instances where the department has been asked by the SIU to strengthen internal processes around the procurement of services from external service providers this work has already begun.
This has also been confirmed by SIU head Mr Willie Hofmeyr in a presentation to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services as well as in media interviews.
Further, disciplinary steps have been taken against employees of the department who have been cited as having a case to answer in the SIU's report, these processes are also sub judice as they may also have to be resolved in the courts as such the department is not able to discuss them in greater detail at this stage.
Given the high media attention that has been placed on this matter, it is necessary to state the reasons why the SIU report in not in the public domain at this time.
Therefor Minister Mapisa-Nqakula further rejects any insinuation peddled in the media as truth that she has a vested interest, whether directly or indirectly, in not making public contents of the report.
Enquiries:
Sonwabo Mbananga
Tel: 012 305 8850
Cell: 082 045 3963
Issued by: Department of Correctional Services
19 November 2009
