Pretoria - The National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), Lieutenant General Mthandazo Ntlemeza, says reports that corruption charges have been filed against three Ministers and the Gupta family are baseless.
“Lieutenant General Ntlemeza wishes to categorically distance the DPCI from these baseless and malicious reports, which are designed and clearly aimed at casting denunciations on the three Ministers - Minister of Public Enterprises Lynne Brown, Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies and Minister of Defence Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula,” said Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi on Monday.
He, however, confirmed that the DPCI received an affidavit from former MP Vytjie Mentor, which was handed over to the Hawks by the Western Cape Provincial Commissioner’s office for further processing.
“The content thereof, which cannot be revealed since it is now subject to an enquiry, is being probed by the DPCI Anti-Corruption Unit. In the said statement though, there is no mention of the three Ministers.
“There is no case docket opened as the investigations into the inquiry are still ongoing. It is therefore malicious to suggest that the Hawks are influencing a decision to investigate the three Ministers,” said Mulaudzi.
He said all investigations in the DPCI remain confidential.
Bozwana murder case
Meanwhile, the Hawks have noted with concern speculation making rounds about the so-called imminent arrests of political leaders in the Wandile Bozwana murder case.
“The information has unfortunately been taken advantage of by unscrupulous people whose interest is to bring confusion and fear.
“General Ntlemeza has noted for some time that many people have been speculating on the matters relating to the murder of Bozwana. Others have even dangerously ventured into suggesting that some businessmen and politicians were masterminds behind Bozwana's murder.
“The DPCI would like to urge all and sundry to stop making dangerous and uninformed speculations in media platforms clearly as a way of influencing our work in one way or another.
“We remain confident that we will secure successful prosecution and convictions on this matter and the public will accordingly be informed,” said Mulaudzi.
He assured South Africans that the Hawks do their work without fear, favour or hesitation.
“No amount of insinuations, perceptions and deceptions will inform or influence our work. We have already recorded commendable progress on this matter.”
Bozwana was shot and killed in October 2015 while driving with one of his staffers off the N1 highway in Pretoria. – SAnews.gov.za
