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Investigate MECs over kick-backs: DA

Northern Cape premier Grizelda Cjiekella should investigate two MECs accused of receiving kick-backs from a service provider, the Democratic Alliance said on Monday. “The same company (ANC MP) Yolanda Botha allegedly benefited from financially in exchange for lease agreements with government, was apparently also paying finance MEC John Block and social development MEC Alvin Botes,” DA provincial leader Andre Louw said. On Friday, the National Prosecutions Authority (NPA) asset forfeiture unit obtained an order to attach assets worth about R24 million belonging to Botha.

The unit successfully argued that Botha disregarded tender procedures while she was head of social development in the Northern Cape, and signed lease agreements that benefited a company called Trifecta Investment Holdings. In return, Trifecta apparently made renovations worth about R1.2 million to her house. Louw said there was no difference between Trifecta's contribution to renovating Botha’s home and R650,000 given to Block for the upkeep of his guest house in Upington. “The same can be said of the retainer that Botes was paid by Trifecta to allegedly exert political influence on the awarding of contracts. “Cjiekella must act in the interests of clean governance and integrity.”

He said his party would table a motion in the provincial legislature calling on the house to instruct Cjiekella to suspend both MECs until their roles in Trifecta were fully investigated. Cjikella's spokesman, Monwabisi Nkompela, said she would not be able to respond to “just an allegation”. “Louw should let the legal process regarding the matter take its course... only after that can the premier be cornered for action.”

Source: www.iol.co.za

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Investigate MECs over kick-backs: DA

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