Acting Hawks Head's comments raise more questions about Nkandla criminal investigation
8 March 2015
Acting head of the Hawks, Berning Ntlemeza, is quoted in the City Press today claiming that there is currently no criminal investigation into Nkandla, and that "other institutions, including the Public Protector" are handling it (see here).
The claim comes almost a year after I laid eight charges of corruption against President Zuma for his complicity in the misappropriation of public funds to upgrade his personal residence at Nkandla (CAS 123/03/2014).
The charges were laid in terms of the Prevention and Combatting of Corrupt Activities Act 2004.
The Public Protector's findings leave no doubt that President Zuma is guilty of a Chapter 2 criminal violation of this Act, as described in section 4 (1) and (2). A full list of recommended criminal charges as submitted by the DA to the SAPS in Nkandla can be found here.
Mr Ntlemeza's statement makes it clear that any investigations the Hawks were conducting have been dropped as a result of political pressure in the wake of the unlawful suspension of Hawks boss, Anwa Dramat.
I also have reason to believe that no further SAPS investigation is underway given that there have been no developments since they informed me in writing last year that the matter was receiving attention from the National Investigation Unit (NIU), under the command of Lieutenant-General Vinesh Moono.
Furthermore, a parliamentary reply from Police Minister Nathi Nhleko last year (number 322), stated that the investigation was "sub judice". This raises the question - was the matter ever before the National Prosecuting Authority for consideration?
I will therefore submit further written questions to both the Ministers of Police and Justice for clarity on this matter.
We will not allow the President to evade accountability for yet another corruption scandal, as he is attempting to do on the 783 charges of corruption against him that the DA is fighting to have reinstated in the North Gauteng High Court.
The DA will fight in Parliament and in the courts to ensure justice is done.
Statement issued by Mmusi Maimane MP, DA Parliamentary Leader, March 8 2015
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