Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Nkandla probe almost complete: protector

The investigation into the multi-million rand upgrade of President Jacob Zuma's Nkandla homestead is almost complete, Public Protector Thuli Madonsela said on Wednesday.

"We are 90 percent done," she told reporters in Pretoria.

"The field work is virtually concluded and the written report is 90 percent done."

Madonsela was waiting for information from outstanding sources.

"The report should be complete in the next couple of weeks," she said.

"We shouldn't go beyond May 24... if we get information expeditiously."

Madonsela said the Nkandla case involved more parties and was more complicated than the case involving Communications Minister Dina Pule.

"This case [involving Pule] was slightly simpler and less complex... and may be finalised faster than the Nkandla one," she said.

The Protector is investigating Pule's role in the ICT Indaba scandal, following reports that R25 million raised by sponsors for the event could not be accounted for.

Madonsela said Pule's claim that the Sunday Times was involved in a smear and blackmail campaign against her would have no bearing on the investigation.

"The minister's comment is not going impact on the investigation.... We have a framework to follow," she said.

"What she has said has no implications..., because we interview people who were involved in the matter at ICT and not journalists."

On Monday, Pule called a press briefing and announced she would be approaching the Press Ombudsman to complain about a series of articles written about her by the newspaper.

She alleged that business people linked to the newspaper had a vested interest in trying to secure a multi-billion rand set-top-box tender and were willing to do anything to get it.

Set-top-boxes are required for the move from analogue to digital television broadcasting.

Pule said high-profile business people and politicians had tried to force her to make decisions in their favour.

She detailed several stories written about her which, she claimed, sought to project her as a corrupt minister who was easily bribed with a pair of shoes, and who gave tenders to a boyfriend, meddled in tender processes, and interfered in the appointment of officials.

She also accused journalists of having links to business interests.
       

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