Authorities suspect money stolen from the controversial Free State asbestos audit tender may have paid for holiday expenses incurred by former minister Nomvula Mokonyane and her daughter.
This is according to evidence gathered by investigators of the Zondo commission.
An analysis of bank statements of companies linked to corruption-accused business-person Edwin Sodi reveals that about R3.8m was paid to entities owned by former Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs star Jimmy Tau between 2013 and last year.
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On September 14 2015, Tau, through his company El Jefe Construction, which received payment from Sodi's company Blackhead Consulting, made a R200,000 payment towards a trip by Mokonyane and her daughter. No details of the trip were provided.
"The SIU [Special Investigating Unit] advised that per their investigation, Mr Tau made these payments toward travel costs for Ms Nomvula Mokonyane and her daughter," reads a commission investigator's report on the asbestos project.
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Asked for comment this week, Mokonyane said in a text message: "I am not aware that my name has been cited anywhere in the said evidence and have not received any notice from the Commission as per its rules, stating that I have been cited. To that extent, I cannot assist you."
Tau did not respond to written questions.
Sodi's companies scored contracts worth millions of rands during the time Mokonyane was premier of Gauteng, a post she held between 2009 and 2014.
Sodi, who appeared before the Zondo commission this week, admitted Tau was paid despite having done no work related to the asbestos project.
"In the evidence unearthed by the investigators there were records of payments to Mr Jimmy Tau, and you said he was not employed by Blackhead Consulting nor by yourself, correct?" evidence leader advocate Paul Pretorius asked Sodi, to which he replied in the affirmative.
"There were no agreements between you and Mr Jimmy Tau?" Pretorius continued.
Sodi retorted: "Well ... he was not employed in his personal capacity but there was a consulting agreement between Blackhead and one of Mr Tau's entities called El Jefe."
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