Tender sham plot thickens

THE Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is believed to be investigating an allegedly rogue multimillion-rand Department of Communications tender.

Sunday World understands that SIU investigators have been gathering information to uncover suspected irregularities in the awarding of a R756-million publicity tender by the department to Media Corner in October 2012 .

At the centre of the allegations, is the department's director-general, Rosey Sekese, who authorised the tender, and her deputy, Sam Vilakazi, who allegedly authorised payments to Media Corner - even though no work was done.

About a month ago, Sunday World revealed that Sekese approved the project , although her department does not have the money .

The company has, to date, been paid over R40-million.

Last month, Sekese and Vilakazi denied the budget for the contract with Media Corner was R756-million. Sekese said R140-million was budgeted over three years for the project, intended to create awareness about digital terrestrial TV.

Communications Minister Yunus Carrim instituted a separate internal investigation last yearto get to the bottom of the allegations.

The allegations are contained in court papers filed by former investigative journalist Wisani Ngobeni in the Labour Court - after Sekese was dismissed him from his post as communications and marketing chief director.

In his court papers, Ngobeni accused Vilakazi of fraud for signing off more than R36-million in payments to Media Corner between April and July last year despite a lack of evidence of work done.

Vilakazi said some of the payments were made up of invoices carried over from 2012. He failed to produce reports when asked.

Presidency spokesman Mac Maharaj said there was no official proclamation by President Jacob Zuma for the unit to launch an investigation.

SIU spokesman Boy Ndala declined to divulge the nature of the SIU's investigation.

"The work of the SIU is of confidential in nature. The SIU does not make public its activities. It will not do so in this matter."

The communications department had not commented by the time of going to print.