Question NW1982 to the Minister of Tourism
09 June 2023 - NW1982
Matumba, Mr A to ask the Minister of Tourism
Following the reports of corruption that took place at the Manyane Game Lodge in Mahikeng, North West, which resulted in R37 million of taxpayers’ money going down the drain, what (a) steps did she take after she received the (i) report from the Portfolio Committee on Tourism on the corruption at the Manyane Game Lodge, dated 5 May 2023, and (ii) forensic report on the Manyane Game Lodge and (b) are the findings of the forensic audit?
Reply:
(a)
(i) I have received the report of the Portfolio Committee dated 5 May 2023. On 22 May 2023, I convened a meeting with Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) to discuss the poor performance on infrastructure projects.
(ii) These projects started in 2012, before I took office and therefore the report was not handed to me. However, I have been informed by the Department that upon receipt of the report in June 2020, the following steps were taken:
1. the Accounting Officer opened a case with the South African Police Services (SAPS) on, 14 September 2020.
2. briefed the national office of the State Attorney to pursue civil claims against implementing agents on 25 July 2020 and, upon instruction from the State Attorney, reinstituted the claims around 27 July 2021 in the Mahikeng Office.
3. instituted disciplinary proceedings against implicated officials in October 2020. The process is still ongoing with cases before the Labour Court.
(b) I am informed by the Department that the forensic investigation found that certain officials did not comply with the requirements of Section 45(a) to (c) of the PFMA, which states that:
An official in a department, trading entity or constitutional institution—
(a) must ensure that the system of financial management and internal control established for that department, trading entity or constitutional institution is carried out within the area of responsibility of that official;
(b) is responsible for the effective, efficient, economical and transparent use of financial and other resources within that official’s area of responsibility;
(c) must take effective and appropriate steps to prevent, within that official’s area of responsibility, any unauthorised expenditure, irregular expenditure and fruitless and wasteful expenditure and any under collection of revenue due;