On arrival back at his office following the sitting of the Provincial Legislature this afternoon, Premier Ebrahim Rasool received confirmation from Brimstone, the controlling company which purchased Novel Garments, that there was no conflict of interest on the part of two provincial administration employees.

Neither Mr Mzwandile Hewu, head of the Social Services and Poverty Alleviation Ministry, nor Mr Alan Roberts, advisor to the Premier, both of whom are board members of Brimstone, participated in discussions on the purchase of Novel. Mr Fred Robertson, chairman of Brimstone, confirmed that while Hewu and Roberts sit on the board of Brimstone, Novel was in fact bought by The House of Monatic, a subsidiary of Brimstone with its own decision-making board of which the two officials are not members. Brimstone board members were merely informed of the purchase as a courtesy. The Premier earlier clarified that Mr Yousuf Pahad, the chairperson of Wesgro, had recused himself from discussions in Wesgro on the sale of Novel.

Premier Rasool reiterates that there was "nothing illegal, corrupt or nepotistic about the sale of Novel to Brimstone" and salutes all those involved in the fight to save every factory and job in the clothing industry.

For further enquiries please contact:
Shado Twala
Spokesperson of The Premier
tel: 021 483 5642
cell: 083 640 6771
email: stwala@pgwc.gov.za