COSATU welcomes Call for Public Protector to investigate corruption allegations against Ms Mtshali

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) welcomes the Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe's statement calling for the Public Protector to investigate allegations that Ms Gugu Mtshali solicited a bribe in exchange for government facilitation of a business deal to sell helicopters to Iran.

COSATU urges the Public Protector to leave no stone unturned in investigating these allegations.

We consider this action on the part of the Deputy President as exemplary of a leadership that is willing to subject itself to public scrutiny and accountability.

COSATU believes that the reports about the alleged corruption by Ms Mtshali vindicate our long held position about relations between government leaders and business.

The overlap between business and political office creates a breeding environment for corruption. This is because such a relationship presents a conflict of interest which is not dealt with by simply declaring a business interest. The involvement of government leadership in business compromises the government's integrity.

COSATU also reiterates the call that families and relatives of public representatives should not do any business with government at all levels.

This will avoid a conflict of interest and the temptation to utilise leadership positions in government to directly benefit families and relatives of the leaders concerned.

COSATU considers this as one of the crucial steps to defeating the scourge of corruption in the public sector.

Statement issued by Phindile Kunene, Shopsteward Magazine Editor, COSATU, March 13 2012

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