Mr Vanan Pillay of the Department of Trade and Industry, is the only government official who has been acted against about the “discounted vehicles” issue.

An official cannot use his post to negotiate special benefits according to the Public Service Code of Conduct.

Prof. Stan Sangweni, chairman of the Public Service Commission, said that each minister and his department must decide whether the gifts, favours and discounted cars received by officials are within limits.

If not, the minister must decide whether the official must be addressed and whether an internal disciplinary hearing is necessary.

Approximately 30 discounted vehicles were supplied to people involved in the arms industry by the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) and its sister company DaimlerChrysler SA.

Gen Siphiwe Nyanda, Head of the Defence Force, Pillay, who worked with the countertrade transactions, Lt Gen Roelf Beukes, Head of the Air Force and other generals, officials and former officials of Armscor and Denel were amongst those who received discounts.

Mr Tony Yengeni, former ANC chief whip and Mr Michael Woerfel, former head of EADS, appeared on  fraud and corruption charges after Yengeni apparently also benefited from the discounts.

Mr Edwin Smith, ministerial spokesperson for the Department of Trade and Industry said that Pillay’s department would be conducting a hearing in the near future.

Sangweni says that he recently received the statement listing the gifts and favours of the government departments for the 2000/2001-financial year end. All officials must declare gifts in this statement.

“We will analyse the statements carefully and make recommendations if we think certain gifts were excessive. This is part of a drive to create a stronger framework which serves as a guideline for government officials.”

With acknowledgement to Erika Gibson, Beeld and News24.