By Johnathan Paoli
The African National Congress has acknowledged the consistent drive against malfeasance by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), saying it demonstrates a renewed vigour to address corruption within the county.
ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said that the issuing of 166 investigation reports to various organs of state since 2018 underscored the determination to address corruption comprehensively and transparently, which was in line with the resolutions taken by the party.
She said the recovery of R5 billion in misappropriated funds over the past 23 years, including R1.5 billion since March, demonstrated the effectiveness of measures such as the establishment of the Special Tribunal by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
“These developments reaffirm the ANC-led government’s dedication to ethical governance, decisive action against wrongdoing, and the safeguarding of public resources,” Bhengu-Motsiri said in a statement on Thursday.
“While progress has been made, the ANC acknowledges that challenges persist. The fact that none of the companies implicated in Covid-19-related corruption have been restricted from doing business with the state reveals a need for further action.”
The statement comes on the heels of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party accusing the president of utilising the SIU as a tool for his own agendas.
The party said earlier this month that 276 proclamations have been issued since 2001, and that almost half of them have been issued since Ramaphosa took office at the beginning of 2018.
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