MASHATILE MUST ANSWER QUESTIONS ON KNYSNA HOLIDAY HOME

Gauteng Premier Paul Mashatile must answer questions on his use of a luxurious holiday home in Thesen Island, Knysna, that is owned by businessmen who get lucrative Gauteng government contacts.

Thesen Island is an exclusive area where houses sell for more than R10 million. Mashatile was seen holidaying there in December last year, in the company of businessman Mr Ernando Acafrao, whose company Sifikile owns the house that Mashatile stayed at.

The biggest contract that Sifikile has is with the call centre at the Gauteng Shared Services Centre..

Sifikile is also part of the consortium for the R3 billion Gauteng Online project.

There is a clear conflict of interests here that I have referred to the Public Protector for investigation (see attached letter and confirmation that it is being taken up by their Special Investigations Unit).

It raises questions as to what these companies get in return.

Mashatile has not disclosed this as a benefit, and even if he did, it is still wrong.

It looks like the usual crony relationship where mostly poor people suffer because the ANC-connected companies can't deliver, as with the failed Gauteng Shared Services Centre call centre, and the Gauteng Online computers that don't operate in schools despite all the promises.

Statement by Jack Bloom MPL

DA Leader, Gauteng Legislature

From: Sonnyboy Kekana
Sent: Friday, March 20, 2009 10:17 AM
To: Jack Bloom
Subject: RE: REFERRAL - PREMIER PAUL MASHATILE USE OF KNYSNA HOLIDAY HOUSE

Morning

I acknowledge receipt of you complaint which was forwarded to our Special Investigation Unit. They will revert to you as soon as practicable.

Yours sincerely

S.B.Kekana

From: Jack Bloom
Sent: 20 March 2009 10:18 AM
To: Sonnyboy Kekana
Subject: REFERRAL - PREMIER PAUL MASHATILE USE OF KNYSNA HOLIDAY HOUSE

Office of the Public Protector
Private Bag X677
Pretoria
0083

Dear sir,

REFERRAL - PREMIER PAUL MASHATILE USE OF KNYSNA HOLIDAY HOUSE

I hereby refer to you a possible breach by Gauteng Premier Paul Mashatile of the Executive Members Ethics Act No 82 of 1998.

My information is that Mashatile has used a house at 134 Plantation Island, Erf 13841, Thesen Island, for holidays.

This property is listed as owned by Sifikile Developers, with purchase price R2.3 million in May 2006 (see attached).

According to a Windeed search, the owner is Mr Ernando Hermenegildo Acafrao and he is a Director of various companies that have a Thesen Island address, and is a director of various Sifikile companies.

Another director of some Sifikile companies is Mr Robinson Muthanyi Ramaite. He is also a director of Simeka holdings.

Both Simeka and Sifikile get Gauteng Government contracts. The biggest contract that Sifikile has is with the call centre at the Gauteng Shared Services Centre.

Sifikile is also part of the consortium for the R3 billion Gauteng Online. There are probably other companies linked with Ramaite and Acafrao that have contracts with the Gauteng Provincial Government and its various agencies.

My referral is based on the following sections of the Act:

Section 2 (b) (iii) "exposing themselves to any situation involving the risk of a conflict between their official responsibilities and their private interests; "and (v) "acting in a way that may compromise the credibility or integrity of their office or of the government."

Furthermore, there is the question as to whether Mashatile disclosed this hospitality benefit as required by section c (ii) "any financial interests acquired after their assumption of office, including any gifts, sponsored foreign travel, pensions, hospitality and other benefits of a material nature received by them or by such persons having a family or other relationship with them as may be determined in the code of ethics;"

I would be grateful if you could give this matter a high priority.

Yours sincerely,

Jack Bloom

Member, Gauteng Provincial Legislature