Former ANC chairperson Marius Fransman will know his fate in two weeks’ time, when the standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) in the provincial legislature will decide whether to drop a probe against him, or refer the matter to police for criminal investigation.
This follows Fransman’s appearance before the Scopa last week to account for the R328 million spent on consultants in the Department of Public Works and transport while he was MEC from 2005 to 2008, reports Weekend Argus.
His appearance related to a report by the Auditor General from a sample of 11 consultancy projects from the Department of Health amounting to R625m, and another 20 from public works and transport which stood at R328m.
The AG said the total spend on consultants amounted to R9.2 billion from 2008 to 2011 for both departments.
A confident Fransman spent two hours in the hot seat on Wednesday after evading an appearance for two years, which even saw him approaching the Western Cape High Court in order for him not to appear.
But the court turned down Fransman’s request last year, with costs.
And when he eventually appeared, sparks flew when ANC and DA MPLs argued among each other over which questions to ask Fransman.
A calm Fransman reiterated that he in “no way” influenced what tenders or contractors were awarded by the department.
Afterwards, Fransman called the process a “witch hunt” where state institutions were used to settle political fights.