Zamani Saul denies Covid-19 tender allegations
Northern Cape Premier
Zamani Saul has denied allegations that he influenced the
awarding of tenders for personal protective equipment.
The Sunday Times reported that Mandisa Shushu, the wife of Saul's special adviser Norman Shushu, was awarded a R13m tender to supply the police with 1-million masks.
Norman is a former MEC of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development in the province.
The premier’s spokesperson Bronwyn Thomas-Abrahams says there is no truth to the allegations.
“The allegations are not true and the story lacks credibility and facts. It needs to be put out there that premier has no influence in the allocation of tenders in the provincial department and more so, in the national department of SAPS.
“Mr Shushu, as the special advisor to the premier, clarified the matter with the journalist that his wife is a businessperson in her own right. She was approached for a tender contract but when he discovered this, encouraged her against concluding the contract with the South African Police Service, because he felt that he hold a government office and will be a proper thing for her to withdraw the contract.”
Thomas-Abrahams says the province has already published the list of companies awarded Covid-19 tenders.
“Last week we published the full list of people that were awarded tenders during the Covid-19 process. It was very a comprehensive list because we gave details of customised and the list was given to the Office of the President that will further scrutinise this list.”