DA calls on the Public Protector to set up an ‘own initiative investigation’ to probe abuse of state funds for electioneering purposes
2 May 2024
Using the Covid-19 model of ‘own initiative investigation’ by the office of the Public Protector as a precedent, the DA is calling on Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka to set up a steering committee to investigate the growing incidences of state fund abuse for electioneering purposes by the ANC government.
In August 2020, the office of the Public Protector set up a steering committee for an ‘own initiative investigation’ into allegations of maladministration, improper conduct and the misappropriation of public funds by the Eastern Cape Department of Health in relation to the medical scooters project.
This investigation approach is urgently needed now as evidence grows that the ANC continues to use state funds to support its election campaign in violation of the electoral code of conduct. In just a week after DA Leader John Steenhuisen filed a complaint with the Public Protector following an unlawful instruction from Cyril Ramaphosa to senior public office bearers, reports show the public works budget has been targeted for ANC election purposes.
The ANC’s Mdumiseni Ntuli is reported to have issued an instruction, unlawfully, to government departments demanding that they submit that they were about to launch so that this could be seamlessly integrated with the ANC’s election campaign. The law is very clear, no political party has the authority to issue instructions to government departments or direct how they should conduct their business.