Trollip calls on NPA to prosecute Linda Mti

THE DA has vowed to put pressure on the National Prosecuting Authority to act against former Department of Correctional Services commissioner Linda Mti over the awarding of tenders valued at more than R1-billion to the Bosasa group, while he was in the top post.

DA Nelson Mandela Bay mayoral candidate Athol Trollip also challenged the ANC yesterday to refer the matter to its integrity committee.

Trollip said he had seen a report on the matter and could see no reason why prosecution had not gone ahead.

He was flanked by the DA’s shadow minister of justice, Glynnis Breytenbach.

Mti, appointed Nelson Mandela Bay safety and security head, is being probed by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) over alleged fraud linked to the tenders, awarded to the Bosasa group between 2004 and 2006.

The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) handed over a report on Mti to the Hawks’ anti-corruption task team in February 2010, but no action has been taken by the NPA since then.

Trollip said: “I will inform the Minister of Justice, Michael Masutha, and the National Director of Public Prosecutions, Shaun Abrahams, that I have had sight of this SIU report, and request reasons as to why prosecution has not gone ahead.

“The [NPA] has no reason not to prosecute Linda Mti . . . given the findings of the SIU’s investigation into [alleged] tender corruption by Mr Mti.

“Today I again call on [Nelson Mandela Bay mayor] Danny Jordaan to immediately suspend Linda Mti until such time as this case is finalised.”

Breytenbach said she had repeatedly asked the NPA why no action had been taken.

Mti declined to comment yesterday.