Limpopo premier urged to fire two top officials in agriculture

SEKHUKHUNE – The DA in Limpopo urged Limpopo premier, Stan Mathabatha to fire MEC for agriculture, Mapula Mokaba-Phukwana for alleged tender irregularities found by the Public Protector.

A tender of R484 296 to conduct forensic investigations in 2014 was unlawfully awarded by the MEC, according to DA Limpopo leader, Jacque Smalle.

“MEC Mokaba Phukwana allegedly appointed MPA Investigation Team, a firm not compliant with regulatory requirements, to conduct a forensic investigation in the department to probe a case of missing computers,” said Smalle.

The Public Protector found that Mokaba-Phukwana did not have the legal authority to award a contract to the company, since that authority vests with the head of department (HOD) as the accounting officer, in terms of Section 38 of the PFMA. This occurred when she was still the MEC for roads and transport.

“Mokaba Phukwana has clearly violated her oath of office in the provincial legislature as well Section 38 of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA),” Smalle added.

The report further implicates the HOD of the department, Anke du Plessis, for improperly regularising the contract by reappointing the same company on the basis of the verbal instruction by Phukwana, thus circumventing compliance with the provisions of Section 64 of the PMFA, causing the department to incur irregular expenditure.