Kubayi investigates R80m nuclear contract irregularity
In a convoluted story of miscommunication and ignored warnings, senior officials in the energy ministry are being investigated
Energy Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has launched an investigation into several senior officials in her department for alleged nuclear tender irregularities amounting to R80m. Kubayi’s office has confirmed that it is probing the possible violation of Treasury regulations when awarding an R80m contract to a nuclear transactional adviser‚ Mahlaka-A-Phalala. According to documents seen by Business Day‚ energy director-general Thabane Zulu‚ his deputy Zizamele Mbambo‚ procurement specialist Ndaba Ngwane and chief financial officer Yvonne Chetty signed a deviation request to sign off the deal. Zulu has since been moved to head the Strategic Energy Fund, while Ndaba quietly left the department. Mbambo remained in his position despite awarding the contract. The scandal started at the end of August 2016 when one of the consulting firms in the nuclear-build programme‚ Mahlaka-A-Phalala, compiled a report finding that the department was not ready to issue a request for proposal for its intended n...
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