Independent probe into CoJ's investigating department is 'good governance', says Joburg speaker Arnolds
The City of Johannesburg is probing the department following irregularities in its investigations, a move the council speaker said was necessary to fight corruption and maladministration.
Johannesburg / Pixabay: mzgiaconte
JOHANNESBURG - The City of Johannesburg says the establishment of a committee to investigate its forensics and investigating department is in the interest of the public.
Council speaker Margaret Arnolds announced the team of five legal experts on Sunday tasked with the probe, led by Advocate Pule Seleka.
The city's forensics and investigating department was stripped of its powers last year after irregularities were found in some of its investigations.
Arnolds said the ability to establish an independent committee was an indication of good governance.
While she has not disclosed the financial cost of this probe, she said it was a necessary measure in fighting corruption and maladministration.
"We want to investigate, but not do it ourselves. Because I know it always boils down to the fact that they are investigating themselves, so they have the influence to do this and that."
Arnolds said this investigation would not go into all the work that was done by the forensics department, but only the investigations flagged for having possible irregularities.