Public protector asked to probe alleged role of Gupta family in state affairs
by Matthew Savides And Sipho Masombuka,
2016-03-18 17:26:20.0
PUBLIC Protector Thuli Madonsela has been asked to investigate the controversial Gupta family and their rumoured involvement in state affairs.
Ms Madonsela’s office said on Friday that the Dominican Order — a group of Catholic priests based in Southern Africa — made the request on Friday morning.
The order asked her to investigate "the involvement of the Gupta family in state affairs and the award of contracts to companies linked to the family"‚ public protector spokesman Oupa Segalwe said.
"The Dominican Order … requested the public protector to investigate allegations that the Deputy Finance Minister, Mr Mcebisi Jonas‚ and a former Member of Parliament‚ Ms Vytjie Mentor‚ were offered cabinet positions by members of the Gupta family in exchange for favourable executive decisions and beneficial business interests‚" Mr Segalwe said.
Ms Madonsela was also asked to investigate whether the appointment of unheralded MP Des van Rooyen as a surprise replacement for Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene was known beforehand by the Gupta family‚ as has been claimed this week.
According to Mr Segalwe‚ the order also wants Ms Madonsela to look into allegations that two "senior advisers" linked to the Gupta family were appointed to the Treasury‚ alongside Mr Van Rooyen‚ without following proper procedure.
"In addition to these‚ the Dominican Order asked the public protector to look into all business dealings of the Gupta family with any of the government departments to determine whether there were irregularities‚ undue enrichment‚ corruption and undue influence in the award of tenders‚ mining licences‚ government advertisements in the New Age newspapers and any other government services‚" the statement said.
According to Ms Madonsela‚ the complaint will be assessed to determine whether her office has jurisdiction and grounds to investigate the claims — a process that takes about five days.
"Only after this process will the public protector be in a position to make a decision on whether or not the matter will be investigated‚" her office said.
TMG Digital
Thuli Madonsela. Picture: PUXLEY MAKGATHO
PUBLIC Protector Thuli Madonsela has been asked to investigate the controversial Gupta family and their rumoured involvement in state affairs.
Ms Madonsela’s office said on Friday that the Dominican Order — a group of Catholic priests based in Southern Africa — made the request on Friday morning.
The order asked her to investigate "the involvement of the Gupta family in state affairs and the award of contracts to companies linked to the family"‚ public protector spokesman Oupa Segalwe said.
"The Dominican Order … requested the public protector to investigate allegations that the Deputy Finance Minister, Mr Mcebisi Jonas‚ and a former Member of Parliament‚ Ms Vytjie Mentor‚ were offered cabinet positions by members of the Gupta family in exchange for favourable executive decisions and beneficial business interests‚" Mr Segalwe said.
Ms Madonsela was also asked to investigate whether the appointment of unheralded MP Des van Rooyen as a surprise replacement for Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene was known beforehand by the Gupta family‚ as has been claimed this week.
According to Mr Segalwe‚ the order also wants Ms Madonsela to look into allegations that two "senior advisers" linked to the Gupta family were appointed to the Treasury‚ alongside Mr Van Rooyen‚ without following proper procedure.
"In addition to these‚ the Dominican Order asked the public protector to look into all business dealings of the Gupta family with any of the government departments to determine whether there were irregularities‚ undue enrichment‚ corruption and undue influence in the award of tenders‚ mining licences‚ government advertisements in the New Age newspapers and any other government services‚" the statement said.
According to Ms Madonsela‚ the complaint will be assessed to determine whether her office has jurisdiction and grounds to investigate the claims — a process that takes about five days.
"Only after this process will the public protector be in a position to make a decision on whether or not the matter will be investigated‚" her office said.
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