Police's involvement in building leases was unlawful says public protector

By Khanyisa Tabata
14 July 2011

Public Protector Thuli Madonsela says the police’s actions relating to the leasing of buildings in Durban were unlawful and improper.
The public protector released the findings at a press conference in Pretoria this afternoon.

She said the lease agreements were a lot more expensive than they should have been and there was no reason why police should not have used an open tender process.

Madonsela said the market value of the building meant it should have been leased at R40 a square metre and not the R125 per square metre ultimately agreed on.

Madonsela said although National Police Commissioner General Bheki Cele did not sign the agreements, the police's involvement was irregular.

She has also recommended that President Jacob Zuma take action against Public Works Minister Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde for her involvement in the deals.