DURBAN - THE Department of International Relations and Co-operation (Dirco) has rubbished the DA’s allegation that Minister Naledi Pandor lied to Parliament’s international relations and co-operation portfolio committee about the finalisation of the department’s report on the R118 million New York land project.
Dirco spokesperson Lunga Ngqengelele said the DA’s allegation about Pandor was proof that the party lacked understanding about the department’s internal processes.
“It is nonsense that the minister lied to Parliament’s portfolio committee. All the minister said was that the report was not finalised and she had also indicated that the portfolio committee would be given the report once it was complete.”
Ngqengelele responded to the DA after the party released a statement on Sunday alleging that Pandor had lied to the committee last week when she said her investigation report into the R118m in irregular expenditure on the New York Pilot Project was not yet complete.
He added that the investigation was ongoing and that the department had suspended some of the people involved. He indicated that Dirco would soon hold disciplinary hearings for employees who had been charged following the alleged purchase of non-existent land worth R118m in the US.
In 2019, during former Dirco minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane’s tenure, Parliament's international relations and co-operation portfolio committee discovered that taxpayers’ money was spent on a piece of land in New York.
A committee delegation went to New York to inspect the land, only to find an old, dilapidated building. The wasteful purchase was reportedly made to accommodate South Africa's diplomats.
Following an investigation by Dirco, chief financial officer Caiphus Ramashau was suspended in connection with the wasteful expenditure on the non-existent land deal.
Mergan Chetty, the DA deputy shadow minister for International Relations and Co-operation, demanded Nkoana-Mashabane’s suspension.
“We further demand the recall of ambassador Jerry Matjila for their role in the scandal where a piece of land was bought for new offices that did not exist. This New York Pilot Project and its shenanigans were initiated as she (Nkoana-Mashabane) failed to exercise her executive oversight.” Approached for comment, Nkoana-Mashabane’s spokesperson Xolelwa Siya Dwesini said she would respond but failed to do so by the time of publication.
It was recently reported that suspended director-general of International Relations and Co-operation Kgabo Mahoai had been fired after a disciplinary hearing.
President Cyril Ramaphosa delegated Pandor to institute disciplinary proceedings against Mahoai over the botched New York land deal.
Last month, Mahoai was found guilty of gross negligence, gross dereliction of duty and breach of legal obligation, as well as irregular, wasteful and fruitless expenditure.
The DA said that after the recent looting and riots, South Africa could not afford any further embarrassment due to this scandal.
Daily News