Democratic Alliance MPL Bobby Stevenson on Monday called on the provincial treasury to “conduct a forensic investigation” into the Office of the Premier.
“I call on the MEC for Finance and Provincial Expenditure‚ Sakhumzi Somyo‚ to publicly state whether or not the payment of R171-million … was made or not. The contract for broadband rollout could potentially run into over R1-billion‚” he said in a statement.
“The Premier‚ Phumulo Masualle‚ must also tell us whether his office approved this payment and if so‚ on what basis. The Premier must publicly state why the rollout of broadband was not put out to tender‚ which was the recommendation of National Treasury.”
Provincial government spokesperson Mandisa Titi denied that payment was processed‚ adding that Mbina-Mthembu had halted it.
Stevenson said the portfolio committee on the Office of the Premier had noted‚ when examining the 2016/2017 annual report‚ that government had allocated R740-million to fast-track the implementation of the first phase of a broadband rollout to connect more than 5‚000 government facilities in eight district municipalities over three years.