Chairperson, the ID calls upon Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma to release the forensic audit report on the tender process surrounding the company that was initially awarded the State Information Technology Agency tender for the smart-card ID, as a matter of urgency.
The Minister gave a very confusing response to a question I asked for written reply surrounding the 14-month delay. The Minister said:
In the ensuing tender process, the department was advised by the State Information Technology Agency in April 2009 that the forensic audit of the tender process was being carried out to investigate the apparent irregularities.
However, she then explained that although the department had, by the end of August this year, still not been advised of the outcome of the forensic audit, the department had already decided to cancel the tender. This begs the question: What circumstances informed the cancellation of the deal?
Our people remain in the dark not only about the endless delays, but also about why the department is dragging its feet over a plan which R114 million was allocated to last year for this project.
We would like to know whether the Minister has received the forensic audit report, and, if so, when is she going to present it to Parliament and to South Africa? I thank you.