MINISTER SISULU WILL COOPERATE WITH THE AG AND PUBLIC PROTECTOR NOT DA

Cape Town, June 3, 2012- The office for Minister Sisulu has noted media reports that the DA demands Minister Sisulu "to produce evidence" that the procurement process for the purchasing of aircrafts for the South African Air Force was above board.

It is important for the DA to understand Government procurement processes, Ministers are not responsible for procurement but for creating an enabling environment, which include submitting the project to Cabinet and consulting with her colleague Minister of Finance. Accounting officers or Director Generals supported by Chief Financial Officers are responsible for rolling out the procurement process.

It must also be added that the DA has already reported the matter to the Public Protector and the Auditor General and these institutions are competent and mandated to investigate. We appreciate that these capable institutions have been approached and we appeal to the DA to allow investigations to unfold.

It is our suspicion that the DA is demanding this information in order to parade it in the media but not for oversight and monitoring of the work of the Department. The Minister's office will cooperate with the Public Protector and the Auditor General's office on the investigation. No information would be provided to the DA and there is no basis in law for the Ministry to do so.

Statement issued by Ndivhuwo Mabaya, Spokesperson for Minister Sisulu, July 3 2012

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