Justice Minister to name corrupt officials - but what about politicians?
Justice Minister Jeff Radebe yesterday said that those government officials found guilty of corruption will be named and shamed so that society will know who these "rotten apples" are. Whilst any move to combat corruption is welcome, what the Minister has not said is what other steps will be taken to ensure that these individuals are not simply "redeployed" to another department or sphere of government, or Parliament for that matter, and what measures will be taken to ensure that they do not continue to receive government work in any form whatsoever.
Most importantly, the Minister did not explain why it is only corrupt officials who have been convicted so far. What about the corrupt politicians who simply evade prosecution because they are part of the correct faction of the governing party? The President himself springs to mind.
The other question, of course, is: will it make any difference? ANC politicians with criminal convictions dating back to the Travelgate saga are still sitting in Parliament. Ruth Bhengu pleaded guilty to fraud involving Parliamentary travel vouchers in 2005, and was given a fine and suspended sentence. She is the Chairperson of the Transport Portfolio Committee.
Yolanda Botha was found guilty by the parliamentary Ethics Committee of wilfully misleading Parliament about alleged kickbacks she received from a company to which she gave tenders worth more than R50m. She is now facing criminal charges, yet she is the Chairperson of the Social Development Portfolio Committee. Admittedly the criminal case is not yet finalised, but should somebody who wilfully misled Parliament be chairing a committee charged with overseeing the executive and holding them to account?
The DA supports the prosecution and exposure of all those involved in corruption, in particular politicians, who should be held to the highest standards. If the ANC government is serious about fighting corruption, the Justice Minister and President should ensure that independent people are appointed to key positions such as the NDPP, so that politicians do not benefit from selective prosecution.
Statement issued by Debbie Schafer MP, DA Shadow Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, February 25 2013
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