TENSION was evident yesterday at the North West legislature when Scopa questioned two MECs about millions of rands spent on legal fees.
The standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) called on premier Thandi Modise, who was at the meeting, to expel two members of her cabinet - Louisa Mabe, former finance MEC and now MEC for education, and MEC for finance Paul Sebegoe.
This after it was discovered that the provincial government has spent more than R13-million on the suspension and disciplinary hearings of the head of the finance department Johannes Mohlala and two senior officials.
This relates to the department of finance's appointment of Morake Incorporated to render legal services to the department.
Morake exceeded the tender contract, which was for R500,000, and charged R13,332,449.95, Scopa said. It said the department of finance appointed the legal firm without following procurement policies.
Mabe was said to be connected to the Morakes as they both come from Rustenburg and are allegedly friends.
Scopa said Simon Morake, who owns the company, was a junior attorney with four years post-admission experience and that he had no experience in labour law, public finance or public service.
According to the committee Morake also inflated invoices and defrauded the department of finance.
It was also said that R2,800 was claimed for travel costs daily while the company director actually slept in Mahikeng where the hearings proceeded. They also charged R2,800 an hour for consultation.
Scopa chairman Hlomane Chauke said these allegations of fraud and corruption were very serious.
Hlomane said the department also appointed Valostar 263 to offer recording and transcription services for the disciplinary hearing of Mohlala and two officials, again without following procedure.
The company is said to belong to the spouse of Morake.
The company charged R12,000 a day for recording and R2.50 per page for transcription.
The total cost for recording and transcription was up to R1-million.
Acting head of the finance department Geo Paul told Scopa the legal cost increased as a result of postponement of hearings.
Two MECs face wrath of Scopa
TENSION was evident yesterday at the North West legislature when Scopa questioned two MECs about millions of rands spent on legal fees.
The standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) called on premier Thandi Modise, who was at the meeting, to expel two members of her cabinet - Louisa Mabe, former finance MEC and now MEC for education, and MEC for finance Paul Sebegoe.
This after it was discovered that the provincial government has spent more than R13-million on the suspension and disciplinary hearings of the head of the finance department Johannes Mohlala and two senior officials.
This relates to the department of finance's appointment of Morake Incorporated to render legal services to the department.
Morake exceeded the tender contract, which was for R500,000, and charged R13,332,449.95, Scopa said. It said the department of finance appointed the legal firm without following procurement policies.
Mabe was said to be connected to the Morakes as they both come from Rustenburg and are allegedly friends.
Scopa said Simon Morake, who owns the company, was a junior attorney with four years post-admission experience and that he had no experience in labour law, public finance or public service.
According to the committee Morake also inflated invoices and defrauded the department of finance.
It was also said that R2,800 was claimed for travel costs daily while the company director actually slept in Mahikeng where the hearings proceeded. They also charged R2,800 an hour for consultation.
Scopa chairman Hlomane Chauke said these allegations of fraud and corruption were very serious.
Hlomane said the department also appointed Valostar 263 to offer recording and transcription services for the disciplinary hearing of Mohlala and two officials, again without following procedure.
The company is said to belong to the spouse of Morake.
The company charged R12,000 a day for recording and R2.50 per page for transcription.
The total cost for recording and transcription was up to R1-million.
Acting head of the finance department Geo Paul told Scopa the legal cost increased as a result of postponement of hearings.
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