Zamani Saul: Corruption allegations ‘a campaign to soil my reputation’

After allegations concerning COVID-19 tender corruption were aimed at him by the Sunday Times on 30 August, Northern Cape Premier Zamani Saul has emphatically stated that he has nothing to hide, and that suggestions that he has engaged in croneyism by dishing out tenders to friends and associates are nothing more than attempts to smear his name. 

The Sunday Times alleged that the wife of Saul’s special advisor, Norman Shushu, had secured a dubious contract to procure personal protective equipment (PPE) from Saul, as well as a company – Macronym 37 – that has seemingly being deregistered by the Companies & Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) for noncompliance.

‘Allegations devoid of substance’ – Saul

Saul said that he had been left with a sense of indignation after the article was published, and strongly denied any part in the dispensation of dodgy tenders. 

“I want to mention it upfront that I don’t engage in piggish plunder of public resources. I have great respect for my fiduciary role as the Premier of the Province,” he said. 

“The insinuations in the article are mired in serious untruths and are devoid of any substance,” he said. 

“At no point was I involved or tried to influence procurement processes in the Department of Health or the South African Police Services (SAPS) for the benefit of certain individuals. Worse, I do not have any role in the management of the SAPS and how they issue tenders, as SAPS is a national competency.”

Saul denies wrongdoing  

He was referring to the allegation that Mandisa Shushu, the wife of his special advisor, had  been able to secure a R13 million tender to supply the SAPS with masks, as well as that an unregistered branding agency from Kimberley had sealed a R27 million tender to supply the Department of Health with vital PPE. Neither of these contracts ever actually came into fruition.

“Mr Norman Shushu, the husband to Mrs Shushu, is my personal advisor, but I still don’t understand where I fit in this matter. If the alleged tender was awarded by SAPS in an unlawful manner, the matter must be reported to the law enforcement agencies and the law must take its course.” 

“Grasping at straws in an attempt to create a link between myself and the awarding of the tender is actually silly and driven by ulterior motives.”

He said that the insinuation that he has a “close friend” in Macronym 37 owner Somandla Sibisi is utter fabrication. 

“I don’t have a close friend called Somandla Sibisi and I challenge anybody with information to the contrary to come to the fore,” he said. “I relate to him like any other business person in the province, which in most cases I meet at ANC events and State of Province Addresses. I don’t have any business, personal or professional dealings with him.”

‘Reckless allegations’ will derail rightful fight against corruption  

Saul was insistent that he has done nothing but behave in a transparent and honest manner during his tenure as Premier, and that should anyone feel differently, they need only look to his detailed report on COVID-19 expenditure. 

“As Chairperson of the Provincial Command Council I have on record called for full disclosure of all procurements, as a result the Northern Cape Government presented a most detailed report on COVID-19 expenditures. This is all due to the fact that there was nothing to hide from my side.”

He welcomed scrutiny as a person in a position of governance, but drew the line at inflammatory remarks that he believes are borne of malice. 

“It is fair to be subjected to public scrutiny as public servants,” he said. “But making reckless allegations which are bereft of any substance and not backed by a shred of evidence against individuals will endanger our difficult and rightful course against corruption.”

“This attack is just one of those instalments of the pushback campaign to soil my reputation. I will not be deterred by this witch-hunt and blackmail, the work to serve the people of Northern Cape honestly and transparently will seamlessly continue.”