COPE has asked the Public Protector to investigate Communications Minister General Siphiwe Nyanda over reports of contracts between the minister’s company and some parastatals.

Juli Kilian COPE MP and member of the communications portfolio committee in parliament told the Mail & Guardian newspaper that COPE believes Gen Nyanda’s business interests are in conflict with the provisions of the Constitution and Executive Member’s Ethics Act.

In terms of the Constitution and the Act, members of the executive are prohibited to:

• undertake any other paid work
• expose themselves to any situation involving risk of conflict between their official responsibilities and their private interests,
• using their positions or any information entrusted to them, to enrich themselves or improperly benefit any other person
• Act in a way that may compromise the credibility or integrity of their office or the government.

“COPE believes that Gen Nyanda is in breach of the act in respect of circumstances and elements surrounding contracts between his GNS Security Company and Transnet Freight Rail, and also other government departments. His declaration to Parliament and his excuses to the effect that he is no longer participating in the day to day running of the company is naïve to say the least,” said Kilian. 

She added:  “The realities of political power mongering and high level influence wielded by individuals "close to the fire” such as Gen Nyanda indicate otherwise”.
Fact of the matter is that he remains a direct financial beneficiary of profits derived from the contracts between his personal interests and government departments and parastatals(s).

Kilian said it is unfortunate that the ANC majority in Parliament would stifle open investigations into these alleged serious Constitutional transgressions, which compels her party to approach the Public Protector. 
She confirmed that documents for a submission to the Public Protector are currently being prepared.