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JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – SOUTH Africa’s official opposition has welcomed the findings by SAP, the global software giant, of possible breaches in compliance practices pertaining to business contracts which involved the beleaguered Gupta family and two state-owned enterprises.

Eskom and Transnet are the enterprises involved.

SAP has admitted that, although it did not pay money to government officials or employees at state-owned entities, it had paid Gupta-linked intermediary companies over R90 million (US$7,56 million).

The Democratic Alliance (DA) on Friday said it was of the belief that SAP seemingly tried to use the Guptas’ close connections within parastatals with a view to securing lucrative government contracts.

“It’s simply not enough that these findings are made public, they must be acted on,” said Natasha Mazzone, DA Shadow Minister of Public Enterprises.

She said the findings by SAP were a welcome sign of accountability but did not absolve SAP from wrongdoing.

Last year, the DA laid charges of money laundering and corruption following allegations of R100 million in kickbacks changing hands between SAP and CAD House, a Gupta-linked company.

Mazzone said following SAP’s admission of misconduct, they have a responsibility to cooperate with local and international authorities to ensure that those who had a hand in the dealings were held accountable and face criminal charges.

The German-owned firm has pledged to cooperate with authorities.
– CAJ News