Corruption Watch implicates deputy minister’s trust

A Corruption Watch report into the fronting of a R30-million job creation tender has implicated a trust headed by Deputy Water and Environmental Affairs Minister Rejoice Mabudafhasi.

The report alleges a not-for-profit organisation for rural development, Mvula Trust, fronted for a for-profit organisation, Ubuntu Sima, in a R30-million Community Works Programme tender which it had allegedly obtained irregularly.

Only non-profit organisations could qualify for the tender.

It alleges Mvula knew about the tender for a lead agent to manage a community-based job-creation project before it was issued.

Corruption Watch has sent the report to the cooperative governance and traditional affairs department, which issued the tender.

Corruption Watch said in a press release this morning its investigation found that Mvula Trust subcontracted a significant part of the awarded contract to a third party, Ubuntu Sima.

This arrangement between Mvula Trust and Ubuntu Sima was not disclosed in the initial bidding documents as required.

An ex-trustee has reported the irregularities to the police and the case is being investigated by the commercial crimes unit.

Corruption Watch executive director David Lewis said they have approached the department and asked it to follow up on the investigation.

Cogta could not immediately be reached for comment.

Daily Maverick this morning reported that repeated attempts to get comment from Mabudafhasi proved fruitless.