Cipro: Private investigators leave like thieves in the night
The investigations regarding alleged corrupt activities at Cipro have been dealt a severe blow when the forensic team left like thieves in the night. This came shortly after staff members of Cipro were urged to come forward with any evidence that would assist with the investigation. The apparent termination of the investigation also came shortly after the suspension of Dr. Michael Twum-Darko, the Chief Information Officer. The investigators were using office space made available to them by the Department of Trade and Industry at its Head Quarters.
The Democratic Alliance has been contacted by people who wanted to testify regarding the allocation of the ECM tender, but who then found that the investigators have vacated the offices without notice. It is at this stage not clear whether the investigation was terminated because of sensitive findings, or because of a contractual dispute with the Department of Trade and Industry. What is clear, however, is that some people who would be able to shed light on the investigation and who are keen to speak out, are denied this opportunity. The Democratic Alliance will be submitting questions to the Minister of Trade and Industry in this regard.
The Democratic Alliance is also still waiting for the tabling of the report by the office of the Auditor-General on the audit of the ECM tender. The media was promised that this report would be released before the end of December 2009. The office of the Auditor-General later indicated to the Democratic Alliance that the report would be sent for printing before the end of January. It is speculated that the release of this report is delayed due to new information that may have come to light during further investigations.
The Serious Crimes Unit of the SAPS has also been sitting since September 2009 on damning evidence regarding the allocation of the ECM tender by Cipro. The investigating officer allocated to this case, Capt. City Ndala, is also finding himself in the dock on inter alia a charge of corruption. This case has dragged on since an alleged member of the Israeli Mafia, Mr. Benson Levy, escaped in November 2003 whilst under his care. Capt. Ndala is hoping for this matter to be resolved within the next few weeks.
Questions by the DA have in the meantime revealed that ValorIT, the company in the centre of the allegations of tender rigging, is still profiting from other contracts with Cipro. Scanco, a company in which ValorIT is holding a 30% share, has been awarded a tender to the value of R930 000 in December 2009. Scanco is also a 100% subcontractor in a typical case of tenderpreneurship regarding another tender. Business Connexion, which has won contracts at Cipro to the value of R840 000 and R330 000 respectively, is using Scanco to conduct the work on its behalf. Cipro was apparently aware of this when the contract with Business Connexion was signed.
The Democratic Alliance has also learned that Mrs. Melanie Bernard-Fryer, former Chief Operations Officer, has resigned with immediate effect from Cipro, citing occupational detriment as the reason. Her resignation was immediately accepted by the acting CEO of Cipro, Mr. Lungile Dukwana. Mrs. Bernard-Fryer, who was the first to draw the attention of the DG of Trade and Industry to the allegations of fraud at Cipro, made a protected disclosure on the allegations of tender-rigging in an affidavit dated 9 June 2009. This matter has been dragging on for far too long and the Democratic Alliance will be submitting further questions regarding the delays experienced in these investigations. The Democratic Alliance would also like to know whether Mrs. Bernard-Fryer was protected against the harassment often experienced by whistle-blowers.
Statement issued by Andricus vd Westhuizen, MP, Democratic Alliance deputy shadow minister of trade and industry, April 8 2010
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