DA closely monitoring investigation into second corruption-busting institution
Within a week after the revelations regarding an apparent police investigation into the Public Protector, it is reported that the head of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), Willie Hofmeyr, is also being investigated by the police for "procurement" issues - despite the fact that an independent investigation of the case by the forensic section of an auditing firm found no irregularities.
In a week of "coincidences", this is one too many.
Since the elimination of the Scorpions, the SIU and the Public Protector are in reality the only truly independent institutions that investigate high-level corruption. How ironic that they are now both the subject of police investigations. It is even more ironic considering the huge number of cases that are not being investigated by the police every year.
Willie Hofmeyr recently disclosed at a Justice Portfolio Committee meeting that the corruption investigations the SIU is currently undertaking constitute only the tip of the iceberg. The SIU is investigating 16 government departments and public entities for fraud, graft and maladministration. One of the cases under investigation deals with irregularities in police procurement processes. In this context, one cannot avoid the conclusion that there is a more sinister motive behind the police investigation into Willie Hofmeyr.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) will be asking Parliamentary questions relating to the status of this investigation, and will keep a very close watch on the situation. The DA will take all steps necessary to ensure that any attempts to intimidate or disempower either the Public Protector or the SIU will be vigorously resisted.
Statement issued by Debbie Schafer MP, DA Shadow Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, July 11 2011
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