We have noted a statement issued today by JOHN STEENHUISEN, MPP of the Democratic Alliance regarding the fight against corruption in government.
Since Dr Zweli Mkhize was inaugurated as the Premier he has always emphasized the need for all political parties to co operate and speak with one voice against fraud and corruption. At this stage Cabinet is satisfied with the work of law enforcement agencies who are dealing with the case involving Intaka.
Remarked Dr Zweli Mkhize: "It is for this reason that all government departments have been requested to co operate with law enforcement agencies who are investigating this matter. Our message is clear corruption is a scourge that we want to eradicate from government."
However, we would like to caution the Democratic Alliance against making unfounded allegations as this would have negative consequences.
Following a report in the Sunday Times yesterday, the Premier of the Province of KwaZulu-Natal Dr Zweli Mkhize wishes to state that, unfortunately, for reasons known by the newspaper, they chose to ignore the crucial aspects of his response to this matter.
The premier takes serious exception to the newspaper's suggestion that "he played a key role in a scandal." From the word go, the newspaper prejudged the issue even before they were given factual responses (see here). We also hold a view that this borders along defaming Dr Mkhize.
An impression has been created in an effort to project Dr Mkhize as a corrupt politician who influenced the "multimillion-rand deals awarded to Cape Town firm Intaka." This despite having stated in our response that in Cabinet there was a mention of a particular supplier but there was no cabinet decision that other suppliers should be excluded, nor did the letter to the then MEC for Local Government MEC Mike Mabuyakhulu suggests that if there were other suppliers they cannot be given attention.
We stated in our response that Dr Mkhize had neither discussion nor contact with Intaka and Savoi. They have never met and have no relationship. The Provincial Cabinet facilitates socio-economic development programmes intended to benefit the people of KwaZulu-Natal. Dr Mkhize therefore denies in the strongest terms suggestions that he was involved in the facilitation of a fraudulent deal and categorically denies any wrongdoing on his part. At the level at which Dr Zweli Mkhize participated there is no fraud and he denies any negligence.
Statement issued by Ndabezinhle Sibiya, KwaZulu-Natal Office of the Premier, September 6 2010
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