The Democratic Alliance is adamant that “one way or another” the Public Protector will accept a referral of communications minister Siphiwe Nyanda's controversial business interests.
Yesterday, the DA's leader in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, Jack Bloom, announced that he has referred the R67.8 million deal between Nyanda's business and the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport, and is hoping to hear back soon from the protector.
However, this morning it has emerged that the protector may well decline the referral, saying the DA needs to use the proper channels.
Speaking to ITWeb this morning, Bloom says as far as the DA is concerned, the referral has been made. “We have had no formal communication from the Public Protector saying the referral has not been accepted. And until they send us something, we will consider the application made.”
Bloom says the DA will be ready, no matter what response comes from the Public Protector. “If they insist we use our leader in Parliament, then we will do that to make the referral. One way or another, the deal will be reviewed,” he adds.
The DA is hoping to set a precedent with Nyanda's business interests, saying that simply declaring them is not good enough. “The minister says that he has declared his interests and that is enough, but he is still benefiting from the deal, which raises questions about how he has used his position to gain business.”
Nyanda has consistently said he does not believe the deal is a conflict of interest. His spokesman, Tiyani Rikhotso, said: “The question of a conflict of interest does not even arise. My understanding is that the company concerned was allegedly awarded the contract in 2007, two years before he was appointed minister.”
The minister has also recently come under fire for his lavish spending at a Cape Town hotel, apparently because his official residence was not fit for occupation.
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