2010/05/26
A SENIOR executive of a licensed gambling company wanted to add a computer and stationery supply company owned by the Eastern Cape’s gambling board boss to a list of approved suppliers to the gambling company.
The shock new revelation comes in a widening scandal over the relationship between the Eastern Cape Gambling & Betting Board’s (ECGBB) chief executive and Vukani, the country’s leading distributor of limited payout gaming machines.
On Friday the Daily Dispatch revealed explosive evidence – contained in sworn statements and e-mails between the top management of Vukani – which formed part of a forensic report which alleged the existence of a highly irregular relationship between ECGBB CEO Mabutho Zwane and Vukani.
In an affidavit included in the forensic report by CyberX’s Leon Nel, former Vukani regional manager Simon Coetzee alleges that on about September 26, 2008 he received a phone call from Vukani chief operations officer Willie Bodenstein.
Coetzee said Bodenstein asked him to request the company’s East London representative, Amanda Regan, to assist with the registration of one of Zwane’s close corporations for Value-Added Tax (VAT).
He said later he received an SMS from Bodenstein, which contained personal information on Zwane needed to facilitate the registration process.
“The information received from Willie Bodenstein reflected the following: Bhija Trading CC registration number 2007/200060/23, 100% member Reuben Mabutho Zwane, 32 Sumner Street, Haven Hills, East London with tax number 9149/264/17/9, cheque account 62159246935, FNB Beacon Bay Branch 250109,” Coetzee declared in his affidavit.
In November 2008, Coetzee said he asked Bodenstein why Vukani was doing a VAT registration for Zwane. “Bodenstein told me he was just doing Mabuto Zwane a favour.”
Coetzee said while being asked to investigate the rumours around Zwane following his suspension, he obtained a printed e-mail from Bodenstein to Vukani’s Anne-Marie Smith, dated September 2, 2008 at 08:29am.
“The e-mail reflected the same close corporation of Mr Zwane – being Bhija Trading CC with the same address and banking details as that I forwarded to Amanda Regan ... the heading of the e-mail was ‘Supplier of Computers and Stationery’.”
He said Smith “confirmed she was asked by Willie Bodenstein to register Mr Zwane’s company on Vukani’s approved suppliers’ database. In the e-mail to Anne- Marie Smith, Bodenstein wrote that ‘as soon as you are happy with the BBBEE credentials I will finalise my price negotiations’.”
Bodenstein, who until now has refused to comment, referred the Dispatch’s questions to his attorney, ENS’ Douglas Molepo.
Molepo said despite his client’s attitude that Nel’s request to Bodenstein for information was sought in an irregular fashion, Vukani had fully co-operated with the board in the investigation.
He said during a February 16, 2009 meeting between himself the board’s legal team, acting ECGBB CEO Menzi Mbina, and then acting chairperson Keely Canca, it was agreed that the issues would only be addressed by way of correspondence “and not through any other channel”.
“In the circumstances, ... our client is not in a position to respond to your queries, as they will be acting outside of the agreed process.”
- By EDDIE BOTHA, Investigations Editor
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