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Vice President David Mabuza. (Photo by Gallo Images / Alet Pretorius)
- Vice President David Mabuza says that law enforcement agencies should have the space to work without political interference.
- Mabuza said that even the highest-ranking politician is not above the law.
- But he sidestepped several questions about the involvement of ANC members in recent corruption scandals.
Vice President David Mabuza says investigations into several high-ranking officials, including government ministers, are being conducted in silence.
While he avoided several questions about the involvement of ANC members in recent corruption scandals, Mabuza said that no one is above the law.
Mabuza responded to questions from MPs during a hybrid session of the National Assembly on Thursday.
READ | David Mabuza ‘exonerated’ after sentencing a woman who claimed to be his niece and tried to incriminate him
NFP MP Ahmed Shaik Emam asked why no action has been taken against Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Patricia de Lille for her role in the Beitbridge 40 million rand border fiasco.
“Millions of rand have already been lost there, where she really interfered. Now if we allow these things, how are we supposed to be convinced that we are indeed moving towards a clean state,” he asked.
Mabuza replied: “Some of these things are being investigated and handled quietly. At the relevant time, we will announce our decision. There are several cases, but you take your time, you follow the necessary process, so that I do the due diligence. , so that you can reach a fair and credible conclusion. “
Mabuza said the government wants many of the investigations to be concluded quickly.
“We want to make sure these cases are dealt with in a fair and proper manner … in a way that he cannot come back and haunt us. [with] In all cases, law enforcement agencies deal with such cases. In some cases, which are in our domain, we will take care of them, “he said.
#MabuzaQandA Vice president @DDMabuza says the government will continue to improve internal control systems to ensure openness, transparency and accountability to protect the integrity of our procurement system. When infractions are committed, those involved must be held accountable
– @SAgovnews (@SAgovnews) October 22, 2020
Mabuza also sidestepped a question on whether he would support the removal of high-ranking politicians accused of corruption.
READ HERE | ANC Seeks Legal Advice as Members Ignore Calls for Accused of Corruption to Stand Down
DA deputy Siviwe Gwarube asked Mabuza if he would support the decision that the ANC members stand aside while the investigations are carried out.
“You claim that the government was caught off guard when it comes to Covid-19 corruption, yet the real enemy of service delivery is not the procurement processes. It is the politically connected individuals who are never held accountable or arrested. .
“ANC leaders such as Ace Magashule, Nomvula Mokonyana, Bandile Masuku and Khusela Diko were identified as individuals who allegedly benefited from government contracts worth millions of public money, either directly or through families.
“Can you, as vice president of the ANC, assure South Africans that you would support the expulsion of these people from the government and your organization?” she asked.
In response, Mabuza said: “It would be premature of me to say that certain people should step aside in the process. I think we must have faith in our law enforcement agencies. They will speak out and act.
“Let us give them space without our political interference, occasionally citing people’s names and all that. Whatever happens today or tomorrow, it will be said that this was discussed in Parliament and people’s names were discussed in Parliament,” added. he said.
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