1) Sendwe states that Twum-Darko applied for security clearance when he took up his position in January 2008. Yet the article states that DTI minister Rob Davies said the request was only submitted to NIA on January 16 this year.

CIPRO's previous comment indicated that Dr Twum-Darko had completed his security clearance forms when he joined CIPRO and that they were submitted to NIA. However, it has been ascertained that the actual documentation was only submitted in January 2009.

2) Twum-Darko is alleged to have advised Mantra Consulting to partner with Valor IT in its bid.

Dr Twum-Darko denies the allegations made by Mantra Consulting in the affidavit. These allegations were submitted to the Auditor-General for further investigation.

3) There seems to be some confusion over Twum-Darko's birthplace.

Dr Twum-Darko is not a Botswana citizen but was born in Ghana.  The DA media release is incorrect. Dr Twum-Darko has been awaiting his South African citizenship for some time.  It was granted very recently on Friday, 23 October 2009.

4) The Sunday Times claims that Twum-Darko has not received security clearance from NIA, and has claimed that this could take up to two years to be finalised.

The security clearance documentation was completed and submitted to NIA. CIPRO is at present awaiting its finalisation.

5) How is it possible that Twum-Darko was allowed to take up his post without security clearance?

As specified in the Department of Public Service Administration policy to which CIPRO subscribes security clearance is not a pre-requisite for an appointment at CIPRO. Security clearance is generally requested at the discretion of the employer.

Issued by Dr Elsabé Conradie, Head of Marketing, Communications and Stakeholder Relations, CIPRO, October 29 2009

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