MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS' STATEMENT ON THE REPORT OF THE PUBLIC PROTECTOR
11 August 2010
The Minister of Communications General Siphiwe Nyanda has noted the final report of the Public Protector following an investigation into an allegation of a breach of the Executive members' Ethics Act of 1998 and the Executive Ethics Code.
The investigation was in relation to a contract awarded to Abalozi, a company which General Nyanda's children's trust, the Mphephethwa Trust, owns a 45 percent shareholding.
The Minister feels vindicated by the findings of the public protector that:
* "No evidence could be found implicating him (General Nyanda) in the process of securing the GTRW (Gauteng Department of Transport, Roads and Works) or any of the other contracts".
* "Evidence could also not be found that suggests that General Nyanda has any direct involvement with, or was benefiting from Abalozi. What was confirmed is the information already in the public domain, which indicates that General Nyanda's children's trust, the Mphephethwa Trust, to which he donated his shares on becoming Minister, owns a 45 percent shareholding in Abalozi.
The conclusion of the Public Protector is that "there's accordingly no basis for finding that General Nyanda's conduct constitutes a conflict of interest in violation of section 2 of the Executive Members' Ethics Act and corresponding provisions of section 3 of the Code of Ethics."
It is therefore important to note that whatever adverse findings by the Public Protector on this matter do not affect General Nyanda's standing, his credibility and have no impact on his position as Minister of Communications or member of society.
It is our hope that these findings put to rest the string of continued malicious allegations made against the Minister by opposition parties with regard to what was perceived to be conflict of interest.
Statement issued by Tiyani Rikhotso, spokesperson for the Minister of Communications, August 11 2010
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