DA calls on Hawks to investigate Correctional Services catering tender

The DA will be requesting the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks) to investigate the serious allegations of corruption and bribery in the awarding of a multimillion-rand catering tender by the Department of Correctional Services to the management group, Bosasa, in 2009 (see Pretoria News report).

This follows the judgement by Judge Ferdi Preller yesterday in the North Gauteng High Court in a review application by competing bidders to have the awarding of the tender set aside. 

Although Judge Preller turned down the review application on the basis that "it is simply too late" since the tender is already two-thirds into its lifespan, he slapped the Department and Bosasa with legal costs for what he called the "deplorable practice" of unduly influencing officials involved in awarding the tender. 

Under the Prevention and Combatting of Corrupt Activities Act 12 of 2004, any person is guilty of corruption if they accept gratification from any other person for their own benefit or another; or if such action amounts to the abuse of position of authority. 

The DA believes that there is sufficient evidence to suggest major irregularities in the tender process followed by the Department of Correctional Services in its awarding of the catering tender to Bosasa to warrant a full investigation. 

Any person or official suspected of corruption should be held accountable for their actions, charged and face the music in terms of the law. 

The DA will not stand by while the rot of corruption continues to eat away at the fibre of our society. 

We will continue to fight this scourge wherever it may rear its ugly head. 

Statement issued by James Selfe MP, DA Shadow Minister of Correctional Services, October 9 2013

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