The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Western Cape has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to launch a full-scale inquiry into allegations that former President Jacob Zuma accepted a R1 million bribe to keep Fisheries Minister Senzeni Zokwana in in the cabinet post which he still occupies.
The bribe reportedly relates to prioritising abalone processing and fishing permits for select companies in the province.
Standing Committee Chairperson on Economic Opportunities, Tourism, and Agriculture, Beverley Schäfer wants Zokwana to be removed from his position and government to overhaul the department.
“What is most concerning is the allegation that DAFF Deputy Director General Siphokazi Ndudane, Cosatu President Sdumo Dlamini and Minister Zokwana himself all received R300 000 bribes from Western Cape businessmen for facilitating talks with Jacob Zuma. These allegations highlight the department’s gross neglect of the thousands of Western Cape fishermen and women in dire need of fishing permits, while the minister himself receives kickbacks for prioritising a select and connected few.”
It has also called on Zokwana to explain how his department became involved in the sale of confiscated abalone.
Peter van Dalen, the DA’s Deputy Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, says it is clear the department is responsible for the abalone poaching in South Africa.
“The DA thinks that the blame lies with the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries which currently presides over the whole process of disposing of confiscated abalone. The sale of confiscated abalone remains hidden from public scrutiny creating opportunity for illegal trade in the sector. We will be writing to the minister to ask him to commit to a firm plan of how the department will open the sale of confiscated abalone to the public and Parliamentary scrutiny.”
-Lyndon Khan, Nandika Bhim, Jamaine Krige
