The South African Mineral and Energy Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe has denied allegations levelled against him by DNG Energy, the losing bidder on the 2000MW emergency power project. Responding to the lawsuit filed by DNG at a High Court in Pretoria, Mantashe denied seeking bribes. The Minister has also denied allegations that a relative tried to interfere in the bid process.
Director-General Ministry of Mineral and Energy Resources, Thabo Mokoena, confirmed that he met the Executive Director DNG Energy and Deputy Aldworth Mbalati. Still, he denies ever seeking a bribe from him. According to an affidavit filed by Mokoena, he explained at the said meeting that the Ministry was running ”a transparent and fair process” and also DNG Energy ”..would need to comply with all of the tender requirements”.
DNG Energy says it stands by its allegations and will respond to the affidavit in court. “What is coming out of respondents’ affidavits and other parties’ responses will be dealt with properly in court, at the right time”, it said.