Former Free State Housing HOD Mpho Mokoena is giving details to the state capture commission on contractors who secured lucrative deals from the R1 billion housing project.
Mosebenzi Zwane outside the state capture commission on 19 July 2019. Picture: Abigail Javier/EWN
JOHANNESBURG – Former Free State Housing HOD Mpho Mokoena claims that MEC Mosebenzi Zwane personally issued instructions for Rochelle Els to get contracts to build houses in Kroonstad.
He also said that Premier Ace Magashule wanted Els’s claims and payments to be expedited.
Mokoena is giving details to the state capture commission on contractors who secured lucrative deals from the R1 billion housing project.
Other witnesses have testified that more than R500 million was paid before any work was actually done.
State capture chairperson deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo asked for clarity on Mokoena’s claims.
“Would that be Mr Zwane coming to you when claims had been lodged and say: ‘You must expedite Ms Rochelle Els’ claims because the premier has said they must be expedited?'”
‘That’s correct yes,” Mokoena said.
ZWANE OVERSTEPPED MY AUTHORITY
Mokoena also said that Zwane had overstepped his authority as MEC and interfered in procurement and management of staff.
He said that he had advised Zwane that the prepayment of suppliers who provided building materials was illegal even before National Treasury flagged that the transaction had flaws.
“Supply chain management, procurement it’s the HOD. When you talk management of staff, it’s the HOD. So, he was into all those and I think he was doing it deliberately and I think he was being advised by someone.”
Mokoena said that he was ignored, with Zwane insisting that other provinces were doing the same thing.
WATCH: Zondo Inquiry puts spotlight on FS housing project
