GAUTENG PREMIER CAPITULATES TO "ALEX MAFIA"
Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane has given up the fight against corruption by the so-called "Alex Mafia" that is allegedly linked to Gauteng ANC Chairperson Paul Mashatile.
This is my conclusion after she told the Legislature today in reply to my questions that the controversial Resolve Group report into corruption in the Gauteng Public Transport, Roads and Works Department had not been taken further than her own office.
When this report was made public on 3 May 2010 Mokonyane said that she had referred it to the Presidency, which could refer it to bodies like the National Treasury or the Special Investigating Unit. "None of them are off the hook," she is reported to have said.
Her turnaround is deplorable. She now says that recommendations in the report relating to maladministration were being addressed but this did not mean that "money was taken".
Former Head of Department, Mr Sibusiso Buthelezi was suspended as a result of this report, and left in November 2009 with a R1 million payout after an agreed settlement. The damning findings that pointed to massive corruption have been swept under the carpet by the premier.