Recording implicates ministry officials in corrupt transactions

An audio recording has implicated several senior officials at the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport in the engagement of questionable transactions. The transaction is said to have been done sometime between 2018/2019.

The recording which was sent anonymously to this publication captures a conversation between two persons who are no longer with that ministry.

Based on the conversation, a $5 million transaction conducted with an agency outside of the ministry caused a fracture in their relationship.

Several persons implicated in the recording still work at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.

In the recording, one person is telling another of the transaction and how the officials used the person’s name to legitimise the transaction.

The woman claimed to be overseas at the time the transaction was done and monies were ready to be paid in her name.

The woman in the recording is heard saying that she sent an authorisation document since her name was used but that it was only when she returned the money was paid as it had to be paid in her name and she had to collect the cheque.

It was what happened after that caused issues the woman said as she claimed she was being offered “two months rent” for helping to facilitate the $5 million transaction.

“Ya’ll gan give me two months rent?” the woman is recorded asking.

“Ya’ll collect five something, ya’ll, use my name and sign up documents,” she continued. She estimated her rent to be some $50,000

In the recording the woman suggested that she eventually took $1 million which caused issues with the other persons who were expected to collect monies.

In the recording she said that one person demanded $2 million and also an apology.

Based on the recording, the senior officials are in the business of pursuing contracts within the public service realm as the woman is heard saying that an unnamed official would facilitate some of the business, “that man does give a little hussle bai,” she is heard saying.

The Public Service rules preclude public servants from jobs outside of the public service, this includes tendering or contracting outside their public service commitment.