Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya says efforts taken by the current administration to root out corruption and fight state capture are bearing fruit.
\nMagwenya was addressing the media and public on Friday in Cape Town on President Cyril Ramaphosa\u2019s public engagement programme for the week and on topical issues of public and media interest.
\n\u201cThe several high profile cases that are before the courts bear testament to the success of the enablement provided by the Ramaphosa administration to law enforcement agencies in support of their fight against corruption,\u201d he said.
\nMagwenya laid out efforts by the administration in the fight against corruption and State Capture.
\n\u201cThese are the appointment of new leadership at the Hawks which has restored the credibility and stability of the institution and led to action against corruption. Since 2018, the Hawks have secured 4 500 convictions on corruption and other priority crimes.
\n\u201cThe appointment of a new National Director of Public Prosecutions on the recommendations of an independent panel following a transparent public process.
\n\u201cThe establishment of the NPA [National Prosecuting Authority] Investigating Directorate to prosecute state capture and other significant corruption cases. The Investigating Directorate has by August 2022 enrolled over 20 corruption cases and charged 65 accused,\u201d he said.
\nMagwenya added that to ensure the state recovers monies looted from its coffers, the Special Tribunal was appointed to expedite civil claims against corrupt individuals.
\nSince it was established through a proclamation by President Ramaphosa in 2019, the Special Tribunal has recovered more than R8.6 billion for state coffers.
\nOn matters of the State Security Agency, Magwenya said much work has been undertaken to \u201cend corruption and politicisation\u201d of the agency \u201cincluding the appointment of new leadership and implementation of recommendations of a high level panel on the SSA\u201d.
\nAt Eskom, Magwenya said the work of multiple agencies to address \u201csabotage and theft\u201d has resulted in the enrolment of some 67 cases with three finalised with a conviction.
\n\u201cThis a significant step towards ridding Eskom of rogue elements that undermine one of the key tenets of achieving the country\u2019s energy security, which is the fixing of Eskom and improving the operational performance of existing power stations,\u201d Magwenya said.
\nTembisa Hospital
\nTurning to media reports linking the President to businessman Hangwani Maumela who allegedly received controversial tenders at the Tembisa Hospital, Magwenya said the President has no knowledge of Maumela’s business dealings or his involvement at Tembisa Hospital.
\n\u201cTo the extent that Maumela is the son of the President\u2019s ex brother-in-law, the President has no further knowledge of Maumela nor has he ever had any relationship with him. Furthermore, President [Ramaphosa] does not have any knowledge of Mr Maumela\u2019s business dealings neither was he aware of his involvement with the Tembisa Hospital or any other state entity.
\n\u201cThe President expects law enforcement agencies to conduct their investigations without any fear or favour, regardless of who may be involved and to arrest those who are or were party to malfeasance,\u201d he said.
\nMagwenya emphasised that the President will sign off on any proclamation application from the Special Investigating Unit to investigate the Tembisa Hospital.
\n\u201cIn the exercise and fulfilment of his constitutional powers, the President remains duty bound to always act in accordance to the constitution and his oath of office. This he does without any fear or favour. SIU Proclamations are never signed based on the individuals involved.
\n\u201cThe Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals act no.74 of 1996 sets out guidelines in which the President may exercise his powers. The President considers every application by the SIU on its merits and he will certainly sign such a proclamation should the SIU, as it so often does, motivate for the need for such an investigation,\u201d Magwenya said. <\/p>\n
Source: South African Government News Agency<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"