SIU not a hired gun for Ramaphosa - Lamola
Justice Minister Ronald Lamola has denied claims that President Cyril Ramaphosa is using the Special Investigating Unit as a "hired gun" against his opponents.
Lamola was speaking at the 25 years anniversary of the establishment of the elite anti-corruption busting unit in Boksburg on Thursday.
"The president does not use the SIU as a hired gun, they follow the evidence, allegations brought to them, the SIU is guided by the law is not guided by the executive, either myself, the president or any minster they are guided by allegations on their table," said Lamola.
"The president does not instruct the SIU on who to follow [after], proclamation is for the SIU to investigate. Between 2018 and 2022, the president has signed 94 proclamations authorising the Unit to investigate corruption and maladministration allegations in the affairs of state in institutions."
READ: EFF wants to bring motion of no confidence against Ramaphosa
This follows widespread corruption in government, including the maleficence that happened with Covid-19 tenders, where some in government have been implicated.
Lamola said they had to provide security for their investigators who are probing suspected corrupt dealings.
"This work is painful and involves a lot of sacrifices, particularly for the employees of the SIU. At some stage, we had to approve them getting protection because those benefiting from corruption are ruthless. We also condemned the threatening and killing of whistle-blowers who provide information to the SIU."
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