The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has reiterated that Aerosud occupies a building in the Centurion Aerospace Village (CAV).

“Assertions by the Democratic Alliance that this is not the case are baseless,” said the DTI on Monday.

This as it was reported that the chairperson of the privately owned aircraft components and aerostructure company denied it was a tenant at CAV.

“While Aerosud does have other land and buildings adjacent to the land and building belonging to government, it occupies the main CAV building and has a lessor/lessee relationship with the CAV,” explained the department.

Certain formalities related to the Head Lease Agreement between the CAV, the DTI, the Department of Public Works and the City of Tshwane, which were put on hold during the audit process are being finalised to enable rental payment, it said.

“It is a fact that the bulk earthworks at the CAV were stopped. This arose because some existing and incomplete contracts were terminated as a result of the forensic audit.

“A process to ensure that the all the regulatory barriers to begin the bulk earthworks again and adjudicate the necessary tenders is in place,” the DTI said.

All the recommendations of the audit have either been completed or are in the process of being completed to legal requirements, including with respect to the recovery of funds and ongoing processes involving allegations of fraud and corruption.

This after allegations of corruption, fraud and reckless tender appointments surfaced about the CAV in a DTI mandated forensic report into the project.