DA lays criminal charges against Government Printing Works CEO Fosi
The Democratic Alliance (DA) says it’s been “reliably informed” that the Acting CEO of the Government Printing Works (GPW), Alinah Fosi, has “sent for documents” relating to allegations of corruption against her.
“Should it be the case, its smacks of potential interference in an investigation which should be addressed with the greatest of urgency.”
The DA, acting on allegations by a whistleblower to parliament’s Home Affairs committee, laid charges against Fosi at the Pretoria Central Police Station Wednesday.
The charges relate to allegations of corruption, mismanagement, victimisation of staff, soliciting bribes, interference in supply chain processes, nepotism and abuse of international travel.
Calls to suspend acting CEO
“If the ANC government is serious about cleaning up corruption (Home Affairs) Minister Motsoaledi must act immediately to verify these claims and suspend the CEO to avoid potential interference in any investigation.”
South Africa’s biggest opposition party said they took this route after various attempts by the DA to have all the allegations investigated were thwarted by ANC members in Parliament’s Portfolio Committee of Home Affairs.
The allegations explained
These include running a catering business not declared to the DPSA and supply chain irregularities on a cleaning contract.
She’s also been accused of misleading the minister in order to take an HR manager on a business class trip to France in return for covering up a complaint of assault on a junior employee.
Further accusations which emerged after these allegations were considered by the Committee include that Z579 security paper, which can only be procured by GPW, is being provided to a third party non-security printer with Fosi’s knowledge and with insufficient accounting methods in place.
Z579 security paper is used to print visa labels, passport pages and vehicle licenses.
The DA said there is ‘no vendetta’ against Fosi, but MPs have a legal statutory duty in terms of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act to report allegations of corruption that are brought to their attention.
Fosi in the firing line
One allegation of supply chain irregularity was investigated by the Public Service Commission (PSC) and the claim that this investigation cleared Fosi of corruption is “misleading,” the DA says.
Fosi was found guilty of supply chain irregularity but cleared of giving an unlawful instruction. However, the DA said, evidence of such unlawful instruction was provided to the lead PSC investigator, a former colleague of Fosi.
Home affairs minister Motsoaledi, has referred allegations of improper influence in the appointment of Fosi as permanent CEO of GPW to the Hawks.
However, other allegations remain “un-investigated” despite a recommendation by the Parliamentary Legal Advisors to the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs to have all allegations referred to the PSC for investigation.
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The DA said it’ll “ensure that no allegations are allowed to be swept under the carpet and that justice takes its course.”
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