MK Party accuses SIU of targeting former SOE CEOs Molefe and Gama
The SIU's head - Andy Mothibi - says the corruption agency does its work without fear or favour.
Head of the Special Investigating Unit, Advocate Andy Mothibi. Picture: GCIS
CAPE TOWN - The MK Party has accused the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) of being a 'hit squad', which initiates investigations for political ends.
The party's Chief Whip Mzwanele Manyi has on Tuesday questioned the timing of new proclamations into Eskom and Transnet in the same week as the companies’ former CEOs Brian Molefe and Siyabonga Gama were sworn in as parliamentarians.
But the SIU's head - Andy Mothibi - said the corruption agency does its work without fear or favour.
The corruption-busting agency was before Parliament's justice committee to discuss its annual report.
MK Party's Manyi has expressed doubt about the independence of the SIU since it relies on a proclamation being signed by the president on recommendation from the Justice Minister before it can initiate a probe.
READ: SIU exceeded all performance targets, saved state around R8bn in 23/24 financial year, MPs told
Two of the party’s newest members of Parliament (MPs), Molefe and Gama, could be impacted by the SIU's latest investigations into Eskom and Transnet.
Molefe and Gama became MK MPs on 28 August, while a new proclamation was signed for Transnet on 23 August, and another for Eskom on 30 August.
"The hit squad narrative is given credence by those kinds of realities that we are faced with. I mean, why was this not signed last year or the beginning of the year? Why does the proclamation coincide so much with this announcement?," said Manyi.
READ: SIU tackles claims of maladministration at Transnet
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)'s Busisiwe Mkhwebane also suggested the proclamation process is problematic.
"My issue with the SIU is the issue of the independence especially on the issue of the SIU being weaponised by the executive to deal with political opponents," said Mkhwebane.
In response, Mothibi assured the committee the agency does not allow itself to be used.
He said the latest proclamations for Eskom and Transnet stem from recommendations made by the Zondo commission of inquiry into State capture.