Allegations of soliciting a bribe against the former Director-General of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy came to light during legal proceedings instituted by DNG Power Holdings (Pty) Ltd in which the Director-General was cited as 3rd Respondent in his official capacity. The allegations related, amongst others, to corruption during the tender process for the procurement of an emergency supply of 200 megawatts of general capacity under the Risk Mitigation Independent Power Procurement Programme.
Subsequently, the Gauteng Division of the South African High Court dismissed the application with cost and held that corruption in relation to the impugned tender process could not be established. This judgement is currently on appeal to the Supreme Court of Appeal.
Having regard to the Court’s ruling and considering that this matter is being investigated by appropriate authorities, a departmental investigation into the allegations would be inappropriate and unjustified. Moreover, there is currently no employment relationship, as the term of the employment contract with the former Director-General has since expired.