COSATU welcomes progress in prosecutions of corruption

17 October 2024

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is encouraged by the progress, even though frustratingly slow, in the prosecution of those implicated in corruption.

Today was the turn of former ANC Member of Parliament (MP) and Spokesperson Pule Mabe. Mabe appeared alongside six others in the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in connection with a tender awarded to his company, Enviro Mobi, in 2017.

Enviro Mobi was to supply 200 tuk tuks to the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for use by waste pickers in Ekurhuleni. When it bid for the R27 million tender, the company is reported to have failed to disclose Mabe as its director. In addition, it has been alleged that a large portion of the value of the tender, R25 million, was paid before any tuk tuks were delivered in contravention of what was agreed.

COSATU notes Mabe’s step aside from his role as ANC NEC member, in line with our Alliance partner’s step-aside rule. However, the exact nature of what the step-aside rule entails needs to be strengthened lest it’s noble objectives are watered down. Mabe is the third former ANC MP to appear in court on charges of corruption after former Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and former Minister of Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa were also charged and are currently attending to their respective cases.

COSATU affirms the right of individuals to be presumed innocent until proven guilty, however, we are encouraged that finally the wheels of justice appear to be grinding, albeit very slowly. While we do not celebrate the misfortune that has befallen these comrades, we commend any effort to uphold the rule of law and hold anyone responsible for any maleficence during the decade of state capture accountable.

The Federation looks forward to more prosecutions and resultant recoveries of any state monies lost to corruption. We applaud government led by the ANC for its progress in uprooting the cancer of corruption and its determination to ensure all are equal before the law. 

Issued by Zanele Sabela, National Spokesperson, COSATU, 17 October 2024