ANC MP Pule Mabe fined over ‘improper’ Prasa tender

African National Congress (ANC) MP Pule Mabe has been fined by parliament’s joint committee on ethics and members’ interests for 15 days of his salary for breaching the code of parliamentarians.

Mabe was reprimanded by the committee after an investigation into a complaint against him found that his company, KG Media, was allegedly improperly awarded a tender by the Passenger Rail Agency of SA (Prasa) to produce the Hambanathi magazine and that the contract was unlawfully extended, IOL reported.

According to the report, the complaint stemmed from the former public protector’s report into allegations of maladministration at Prasa.

The code of parliamentarians prohibits MPs from receiving any benefits from a tender or a contract with an organ of state. MPs are also required to declare their directorship.

“It was further alleged that Mabe, who was the former executive corporate affairs manager at Prasa, was improperly paid a salary after his resignation from Prasa in 2008/2009,” the committee reportedly stated.

It found in its final report that Mabe still held shares in the Kedibone Trust, which held 100% of KG Media shares, and that he had benefited from the renewal of the Prasa contract with KG Media in March 2015.

He was sworn in as an ANC MP in 2014.

“Mabe is a trustee of the trust and beneficiary, and accordingly benefited from the proceeds of the contract,” the report said.

Mabe has apparently disputed the committee’s initial finding that he benefited, even though the committee concluded that he still benefited from the renewal of the contract despite him arguing that he had erroneously disclosed that he was a beneficiary of the Kedibone Mabe Trust and that his children were the actual sole beneficiaries.

“It is the view of the joint committee that, as legal custodian of the minor children, Mabe benefited from the contract. Alternatively, Mabe’s children benefited from the same,” the committee said.

It also said allegations of improper payment to Mabe happened before his deployment to parliament. He also disclosed his interest in KG Media upon joining the national legislature.

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