DA tells De Lille to ‘come clean’ on R40 million Beitbridge border fence

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has questioned Public Works and Infrastructure Minister, Patricia De Lille’s role in the Beitbridge border fence project.

De Lille and officials from her department appeared before parliament on Wednesday, 19 August 2020, to give a briefing on the R40 million project.

A probe by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) found that there were flaws in the project, including the price tag being inflated by R17 million.

Of the R40.4 million forked out for the contract, R37.2 million was allocated for construction while the remaining R3.2 million was for professional services and project management.

De Lille however said she had not known about the R3.2 million until at a later stage, which the DA is not buying, saying it was highly unlikely.

De Lille: ‘Check my bank accounts’

The minister has invited MPs to go through her bank accounts to check for any evidence she may have cashed in.

She said she as a minister had a role to play and only intervened when she suspected something was wrong.

“I want to assure members that we’re not trying to hide anything. If there’s any allegation of corruption against the minister, like it’s being made in public that the minister is corrupt, I am prepared to open up my banking accounts,” she said.

DA: ‘The case against her is growing stronger’

DA MP Samantha Graham-Maré said the minister’s advisor, Mcendisi Mtshali met with both the Contractor and the Principal Agent in March 2020. Graham-Maré said  Mtshali and De Lille’s other advisor, Melissa Whitehead, were part of a meeting with various role players to discuss the procurement process.

“Three of the Minister’s staff members at various stages of the procurement process and not one person mentioned the Principal Agent at a cost of R3 259 071.48 to the Minister? This seems highly unlikely”, she said in a statement.

Graham-Maré said while she has no knowledge of the minister benefiting financially from the contract, wrongdoing also included political corruption where the power of a government official is used to manipulate or impact tenders, appointments and other administrative actions.

“I believe that to be the case here. The Minister cannot continue to plead innocence or ignorance around the border fence”, she said.

“We have no interest in her bank accounts. Instead, we would like her to own up to her role in this entire debacle and take responsibility for the actions of her staff who acted on her instructions”