SIU seeks to recover R37m spent on Beitbridge fence
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is in the process of recovering R37 million spent on building the Beitbridge border fence between Zimbabwe and South Africa.
The unit’s head Andy Mothibi briefed Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) on Tuesday alongside the Department of Public Works.
"We are pursuing civil litigation to recover the monies that have been paid to the service provider and any related damages caused to the department,” he told MPs.
“The process is underway the case is on the roll of the Special Tribunal and the application is to get a restraint order that freezes the account of the service provider.”
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Four criminal charges has also been laid and referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
"It is true that the fence is located close to the patrol road which is not the location of the border fence and the site clearance that was issued for its construction. Our report concluded that the project was a fruitless project, because is not fit for purpose and the procurement process did not comply with Treasury regulations," said Public Works’ acting director-general Imtiaz Fazel.
Mothibi added that 11 officials have been charged, including the department’s former director-general Sam Vukela and Minister Patricia De Lille's former advisor Melissa Whitehead.