The Congress of South African trade Unions welcomes the announcement by Finance Minister, Pravin Gordhan, that the National Treasury has launched an investigation into corruption in Limpopo provincial government's tender and procurement processes (see City Press report).
The federation urges the government to extend the investigation - which is to be conducted by the Treasury, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and the SA Revenue Services (Sars) - to all provinces.
The probe is designed to curb corruption, a matter on which COSATU fully shares the Minister's "grave concern". His investigation is in line with COSATU's call for a ‘lifestyle audit' of ministers and public officials whose lavish lifestyles indicate that they are living beyond what could be affordable on their official salaries.
The goal is to identify, prosecute and punish what have become known as "tender-preneurs" - public office holders who have used their official positions to enrich themselves and their families. COSATU hopes that Comrade Gordhan will give more information on the investigation in his budget speech on Wednesday.
COSATU General Secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi, told City Press on 14 February that the target group is those who had amassed wealth in mysterious ways and lived in expensive houses and threw lavish parties throughout the year. "Follow them to their homes and ask them where do they get the money to buy those properties. You will get interesting answers."
The federation hopes that the Minister's decision indicates the government is going to clamp down ruthlessly on the use of public office for private enrichment. All public representatives - ministers, MPs, MPLs, councillors and civil servants - must be obliged to choose whether they are servants of the public or in business to make profits. They cannot be both at the same time.
COSATU calls on all Ministers and senior public servants to co-operate with Pravin Gordhan's investigation and submit to the lifestyle audit as part of their commitment to clean and honest governance.
Statement issued by Patrick Craven, COSATU national spokesperson, February 15 2010
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