CORRUPTION ROCKS AIRPORTS COMPANY SOUTH AFRICA: CIO SUSPENDED OVER BIOMETRIC PROJECT
In a shocking move, Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) has placed its Chief Information Officer (CIO) on precautionary suspension amidst allegations of corruption and wrongdoing in the company’s biometric and digital identity technology project.
The project, valued at R115-million, was awarded to French multinational technology company Idemia, with a local company, InfoVerge, serving as its black-owned partner. However, things took a turn for the worse when InfoVerge approached the high court to set aside Acsa’s decision to award the tender, citing irregularities in the procurement process.
But it’s not just the procurement process that’s under scrutiny. Sources close to the matter claim that the CIO, Mthokozisi Mncwabe, was involved in a cover-up to conceal the truth about the project’s true nature and purpose.
"The CIO was hell-bent on pushing through the project, despite numerous red flags and concerns raised by employees and stakeholders," said a whistleblower. "It’s clear that he had something to hide, and now he’s paying the price."
The suspension comes after Acsa conducted a preliminary investigation and found prima facie evidence of wrongdoing. The company has vowed to conduct a thorough investigation and report back to the public on its findings.
But not everyone is convinced that the suspension is a sign of Acsa’s commitment to transparency and accountability. "This is just a smokescreen to distract from the real issues," said a government official. "The real question is, what did the CIO know and when did he know it? We demand answers."
The biometric and digital identity technology project has been mired in controversy since its inception, with many questioning the true purpose and benefits of the project. With the CIO suspended and the investigation ongoing, it remains to be seen what other secrets will be uncovered.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story
