President signed Midvaal proclamation before the elections

24 May 2011

The Presidency rejects allegations by the Democratic Alliance that the proclamation signed by the President for the Special Investigating Unit to probe maladministration allegations in the Midvaal Municipality is politically motivated and linked to the Midvaal election result.

President Zuma signed the proclamation on the 17th of May 2011, the day before the local government elections.  The allegation that the proclamation is linked to the fact that the DA won the elections is therefore false and misleading.

The President recently ordered investigations in a number of municipalities, the majority of which are ANC run, for example Ekurhuleni and Tshwane metropolitan councils.

Other government entities against which proclamations were issued in recent times include the Department of Health in the Gauteng Province, Human Settlements, Department of Arts and Culture, Department of Education in the Eastern Cape Province, national Department of Public Works, the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), the South African Police Service and the South African Broadcasting Corporation.

While not pre-judging the investigations, the proclamations are a clear indication of the President and government's resolve to combat corruption, mismanagement and maladministration at all levels of Government and the public service.

Statement issued by Zizi Kodwa, The Presidency, May 24 2011

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