The Department of Economic Development says an investigation into allegations of abuse of government Internet data by former Competition Commission commissioner Shan Ramburuth has been closed. This is after Ramburuth resigned last week.
Yesterday, economic development minister Ebrahim Patel appointed Thembinkosi Bonakele as acting competition commissioner. Ramburuth reportedly resigned following a forensic investigation and report, compiled by consultants Paul O'Sullivan and Associates, into his abuse of government Internet data.
Patel's spokesperson, Manelisi Wolela, says Bonakele's appointment is effective from today for a period of six months. "Minister Patel's announcement follows the resignation of Shan Ramburuth as competition commissioner following an investigation undertaken into his fitness to hold office," says Wolela.
Bonakele has served as deputy commissioner of the Competition Commission and worked in all key divisions of the commission over the past nine years, says Wolela. "The Competition Commission is a vital institution in our efforts to build a dynamic economy, and it has a skilled and capable staff that will ensure the commission continues to perform its statutory functions."
Yesterday, Sunday newspapers reported that Ramburuth spent tens of thousands of rands of taxpayers' money downloading adult content. He supposedly spent an average of R15 000 an hour on a government SIM card, some of it on hardcore pornography.
In October 2011, Ramburuth allegedly racked up a R123 000 data bill while overseas, using a government-issued SIM card. The single largest data usage is said to have been on 15 October, when he spent 291 minutes on adult content Web sites.
The Sunday Times quoted Ramburuth as saying the R123 000 bill is the result of automatic software upgrades. He did not deny visiting adult content sites, but said the matter is "very embarrassing" to him and his family.
Wolela says the post of competition commissioner will be advertised in national newspapers in the next two weeks.
Ramburuth could not be reached for comment.
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