DA requests Public Protector investigation of Masibambisane
The DA will write to the Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela, requesting that she investigate the allocation of public funding to the President Jacob Zuma chaired NGO, Masibambisane Trust and its alleged interference in government programmes.
Rural Development and Land Reform Minister, Gugile Nkwinti and department officials expressed serious concern in the media this weekend about the on-going hijacking of government programmes by the NGO (see City Press report).
Masibambisane has allegedly received almost R1 billion to date from several government departments for various rural development programmes.
President Zuma's association with an NGO that receives public funding is at the very least, unethical, and its interference in government programmes, requires investigation.
The DA has already written to the Auditor-General, Terrence Nombembe, requesting that tender processes around the awarding of contracts to Masibambisane be investigated. We have also submitted parliamentary questions to gain clarity on the full amount Masibambisane is receiving from the government, what purpose the NGO serves that the government is unable to provide, and why it was allegedly appointed without following proper processes.
The Public Protector should now investigate Masibambisane's interference in government programmes and how it received the approval to do so.
The DA will continue to press for transparency on this matter.
President Zuma's continued involvement raises further questions of undue influence on governmental departments to fund pet projects through the public purse, to the benefit of the President and those close to him.
The DA fully supports land reform and rural development in order to redress the legacy of Apartheid's dispossession. It must benefit all, and not just the politically-connected.
Statement issued by Mpowele Swathe MP, Shadow Minster of Rural Development and Land Reform, September 9 2013
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