Following shocking revelations of rampant corruption in various government departments, made at the Madlanga Commission, the Laudium Sun has received reports of serious allegations made against a very senior member of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) who lives in the upmarket Eldoglen Security Estate, near Laudium.
Yunus Hoosen, the Deputy Director General responsible for Investments and Spatial Industrial Development in the Trade and Industry Department, has been accused by a local resident of amongst others, abusing his authority or position and acting in a corrupt manner, in that he has been ‘colluding’ with a certain group of Indian businessmen known as the ‘Indian Cartel,’ based in Gauteng, but with syndicate members throughout the country. The cartel is believed to have undue influence over Yunus and allegations are that at their command, he even arranges for their members to accompany President Ramaphosa and other high ranking Ministers and officials for state visits to foreign countries where special business representatives are also invited. Yunus has also been accused of ‘introducing’ members of the cartel to the relevant department heads responsible for grants, financial support and business loans, even those who are not creditworthy. Yunus who accompanies the President during important and confidential trade talks with foreign Presidents and their delegations, is privy to important decisions concerning trade between countries and as such has even been accused of giving inside and privileged information to the cartel, concerning forthcoming trade investments with foreign countries. Allegations were also made that Yunus was benefitting financially or otherwise in assisting members of the cartel.
The complaint arises with Yunus as a civil servant, accused of being selective as to who he assists, while turning away others who call on him for assistance. The resident who complained to the Laudium Sun, alleged that he heard about Yunus assisting certain local business people and managed to get his contact number, but when he called Yunus to get him enlisted to accompany the President on an overseas trip earlier this year, Yunus apparently rudely told him he could not help him. The resident added, “I have a gripe as we as South African business people are not being treated equally by officials from the Trade and Industry Department. It seems some of the business people are favoured and get ‘fast track’ services and even jump the queue, because they have connections at higher places. The Laudium Sun thereafter, during early May, sent Yunus a general summary of the complaints, requesting him to respond.
RESPONSE
In summary Yunus denied all the allegations adding that it was “a load of hogwash and factually incorrect. I am a longstanding civil servant with integrity serving with loyalty and dedication with an unblemished track record. For 30 years I have been known for my loyalty, dedication and honesty.”
However also during the earlier part of last month (May), the Laudium Sun managed to speak to another businessman known to Yunus, who confirmed that Yunus assisted him in being part of a delegation of business people during one of the President’s visits. The local resident who complained to the Laudium Sun, then said that a friend of his, who is believed to be on close terms with Yunus, allegedly had a recording between him (the friend) and Yunus, whereby Yunus agreed to assist the friend on a DTIC matter. When the Laudium Sun then, after the first response from Yunus, informed him later of a possible recording, Yunus seemed to have gone defensive, reminding the Laudium Sun that recording someone without their permission or a court order was illegal and against the POPIA Act and that he would get the ‘organs of state’ to investigate the matter. Since around mid May to this day, the Laudium Sun has not heard anything from Yunus or the relevant ‘organs of state’ concerning the threat made by Yunus. The Laudium Sun has thus decided to print the story as we believe it is of public interest.