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26 August 2008

The Minister of Correctional Services Mr Ngconde Balfour learned of a complaint which was tabled to Parliament, alleging that the Minister failed to disclose a gift to Parliament in 2006. The gift is said to be a black VW Touareg.

The minister has noted the allegations with concern and would like to state the following facts
* The minister bought the said car in 2006 as his personal car, he fully financed it and he has been paying all the instalments personally till to date. The car was financed through Kgwerano Asset Finance which is a joint venture with Wesbank, which was awarded a tender by the Department of Transport in September 2004 to provide full maintenance operating lease vehicles to public office bearers including ministers, premiers, speakers of legislature, and MECs
* Like any other sale, no additional discounts were provided to the minister other than those provided to retail public, and the Auditor-General has got a letter to that effect.

All the necessary documentation in relation to the purchase of this vehicle will be tabled in Parliament by the minister during this week as proof of a clean deal he entered into wherein he did not receive favours whatsoever.

Minister Balfour didn't hide his anger about this malicious allegation and he also questioned the intentions of such an act. "I won't hesitate to take head on anybody who creates baseless stories like this with no facts whatsoever trying to achieve his/her motives." He further vowed that people behind these allegations will face him in court, he won't hesitate to sue them.

The past few days have been strenuous on the Department of Correctional Services because of the divisive e-mails and articles sent by unknown faceless individuals who seek to create division within the department. However truth will prevail and everything will come afore.

Since taking over as the political head of Correctional Services, Minister Balfour has lead a campaign to root out corruption in the department during his tenure, which has seen the department's investigation unit in partnership with the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and other agencies rooting out corrupt elements within Correctional Services.

"I, Ngconde Balfour, a strong believer in clean governance, will never embarrass or humiliate my dead parents, my siblings and my children in whatever action," said the Minister.

Enquiries:
Bheki Manzini
Cell: 082 773 6151
Tel: 012 307 2281

Issued by: Department of Correctional Services
26 August 2008
Source: Department of Correctional Services (http://www.dcs.gov.za)