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By Sandi Kwon Hoo 
20h ago
Northern Cape Prime Minister Dr. Zamani Saul has denied having any influence in awarding multi-million dollar tenders to service providers during the Covid-19 pandemic.
This follows media reports that Mandisa Shushu, the wife of Norman Shushu, a special adviser in the Prime Minister’s Office, received a R13 million tender to supply SAPS with one million surgical masks.
Also under scrutiny is a R26.9 million tender that was awarded to Macronym 37, a company that in 2016 was in the process of being removed from the Business and Intellectual Property Commission (Cipro).
The owner of the company, Somandla Sibisi, is reportedly linked politically and is a close friend of Saul.
Macronym was awarded tenders for the supply of masks and coveralls by the provincial Health Department, as well as for the distribution of food packages throughout the North Cape.
Sibisi had denied having any relationship with Saul.
Shushu was quoted advising his wife to cancel the contract as he was employed by the government.
In July, the Northern Cape local government spent R87 million on PPE, R36 million on welfare grants, R39 million on disinfection of public buildings and R9 million on infrastructure works and repairs during the national shutdown.
Saul stated that he had great respect for his “fiduciary role” as prime minister and denied allegations that he influenced the award of Covid-19 tenders.
“The article seeks to suggest that I have unduly influenced the awarding of bids related to Covid-19. I want to mention from the beginning that I do not participate in a looting of public resources. “
Saúl denied having ties to the service providers.
“At no time was I involved or tried to influence the procurement processes in the Department of Health or the South African Police Service (SAPS) for the benefit of certain people … I have no role in managing SAPS and how they issue tenders, since the SAPS is a national competition ”.
Saul also vehemently denied having ties to Sibisi.
“The accusation that comes from an undisclosed source that Somandla Sibisi is my close friend is sheer nonsense. I don’t have a close friend named Somandla Sibisi and I challenge anyone with information to the contrary to come out. I interact with him like any other businessman in the Province, who in most cases I meet at ANC events and at the addresses of the State of the Province. I have no business, personal or professional dealings with him. “
He indicated that it was “in bad taste” to be accused of corruption while he had publicly spoken out against him.
“A matter as serious as this is used to launch an unwarranted attack on my person and integrity. I was among the first to support the president’s announcement to publicly declare all PPE acquisitions.
“As president of the Provincial Command Council, I am aware that I have requested full disclosure of all acquisitions. As a result, the Northern Cape government submitted a detailed report on Covid-19 spending. This is all due to the fact that there was nothing to hide from me. “
Saul added that it was impossible for him to have been involved in issuing a SAPS tender to Mandisa Shushu, the wife of his special adviser.
“Although Norman Shushu is my personal adviser, I do not understand where I fit in on this matter. If the alleged tender was awarded by SAPS illegally, the matter must be reported to law enforcement agencies and the law must take its course. Holding onto straws in an attempt to create a link between myself and the contest award is actually foolish and driven by ulterior motives. “
He noted that while it was fair for public servants to be subjected to scrutiny, “reckless accusations without evidence against individuals” would jeopardize the fight against corruption.
“Since we began this sixth administration we have embarked on far-reaching measures to reduce waste and corruption in the system. As a result, we were able to save the provincial government close to 200 million rand in less than a year. “
Saúl said there are unhappy people who are “deeply unhappy” about the measures taken to prevent corruption in the province.
“They are busy with a serious rejection campaign … to tarnish my reputation. I will not be deterred by this witch hunt and blackmail. I will continue to serve the people of the Northern Cape in an honest and transparent manner. “
He assured the public that if there was something adverse with any of the Covid-19-related tenders issued to the 175 companies, there would be “serious consequences” for everyone involved.
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