Sanco pleased at direction state capture probe is taking

The South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) has welcomed the transfer of certain prioritised investigations from the Office of the Public Protector (OPP) to the Judicial Commission on State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the public sector.

“All investigations that are covered by the terms of reference that established the commission must be centralised so that the high-level expertise as well as depth of legal, investigative and forensic auditing assigned the responsibility is optimally used to serve the course of justice,” said Sanco spokesperson Jabu Mahlangu.

According to the notice of intent that Sanco received from the OPP on Friday 25th May, the transfer follows engagements between Public Protector Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane and the chairperson of the commission, Deputy Chief Justice Zondo.

Mahlangu said that South Africans were eagerly awaiting the conclusion of the state capture probe in the hope that it would restore confidence in public institutions and contribute towards the country’s economic recovery.

“We owe it to future generations to reclaim good governance, reposition state-owned enterprises for the developmental role outlined in the National Development Plan while ensuring that every cent that was looted through state capture is recouped and those responsible held accountable,” he said.

Sanco had complained to the OPP and requested a probe into the awarding of R1.8 billion in tenders to Impulse International (Pty) Limited (Impulse), an entity in which Koketso Choma, stepdaughter of former Eskom acting group CEO Matshela Koko held financial business interests.

It was alleged that impulse, a multinational engineering and project management consultancy and technical service provider, was irregularly awarded eight lucrative contracts by Eskom while Koko was group executive of generation which had a direct influence over Supply Chain Management (SCM) processes.

Other investigations referred to the commission include complaints lodged by other parties that alleged, among other things, that the Gupta family benefited substantially from state contracts because of close relationships that they had with former President Jacob Zuma, certain cabinet ministers, chairpersons of state-owned enterprises, CEOs as well as members of their families and business associates.

– African News Agency (ANA)