Pretoria - The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Tina Joemat-Pettersson has refuted media reports alleging that she received 'kickbacks'.
The story in the weekend media alleged that Joemat-Pettersson was being investigated for allegedly taking a kickback for arranging the purchase of an R18 million game farm for disadvantaged women while she was still the MEC in the Northern Cape.
Ministerial spokeswoman, Palesa Mokomele said: “The allegations that are contained in the news report are both unsubstantiated and regrettable. The Minister will fully cooperate with any investigation on the matter.
“The Minister has served in the public service for 19 years and was the youngest MEC under the first democratic dispensation.”
Mokomele said those who know Minister Joemat-Pettersson know her to be a people orientated leader who consistently serves others and strives for the development of rural women and rural communities.
“The said farm was for the benefit of rural women through skills development and employment creation.
“The Minister will request that both the Parliamentary Ethics Committee and the African National Congress' (ANC) integrity committee investigate all allegations levelled against her and her conduct,” she said. - SAnews.gov.za
