Officials were "instructed" to approve some applicants for long-term fishing rights regardless of their credentials, according to allegations in a government report released in Parliament yesterday.
The report, commissioned by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, follows a damning report last week commissioned by former agriculture minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson after the 2013 allocation.
Yesterday's report highlighted possible political interference in the process.
"Fisheries managers indicated that during the rolling out of the Fishing Rights Allocation Process, there were several instances of political interference," it said.
"For example, some Frap applicants who failed to meet maximum qualifying criteria were issued rights because Frap officials were 'instructed' to approve their application."
Other shortcomings highlighted in the report include ineffective monitoring of the coast and harbours, and poor communication with fishing communities.
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