Probe into dodgy IT tender
The government has launched a probe into allegations of corruption and maladministration at the Universal Service and Access Agency of SA (Usaasa), which manages millions of rands in contributions from the electronic communications industry, says a report in the Sunday Times.
Deputy Communications Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams said last week that her department had appointed 'independent investigators' to look into the agency. A report is expected within four weeks. The probe follows an open letter to President Jacob Zuma last month from United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa, who accused Usaasa of 'wallowing in a sea of corruption and maladministration', according to the report. It says Holomisa referred to the appointment of, and apparent overpayments to, a supplier named Mthinte Communications, which was awarded an 80% subsidy last year to build 'public access facilities' for information and communication technology services in underserved areas. Usaasa is the government agency responsible for ICT services in rural areas, which are paid for with subsidies sourced from prescribed contributions to the multimillion-rand Universal Service and Access Fund. Holders of electronic communications licences are obliged to pay 0.2% of their yearly turnover to the fund. Mthinte director Vusi Ndlovu refused to comment on the contract. 'Our contract with Usaasa precludes us from discussing anything pertaining to the project in question with anybody without express authorisation from Usaasa,' he is quoted in the report as saying. Full Sunday Times report (subscription needed)