North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo has urged the provincial government to work with the Hawks and all law enforcement agencies to root out corruption in the province.
“It is important for all of us, irrespective of our positions within government and elsewhere, to allow our offices to be subjected to the rule of law. We are fully cooperating with the Hawks and all other law enforcement agencies to strengthen the values of democracy in our Republic,” said Premier Mahumapelo.
On Thursday morning, the crime busting unit raided the offices of the Premier in the Supply Chain Management section and the Department of Finance.
“We welcome and support the initiative taken by the Hawks in relation to allegations of fraud and corruption within sections of Supply Chain Management in the Office of the Premier and Department of Finance,” said the Premier.
The Hawks confirmed that the search and seizure operations follow investigations into alleged maladministration, fraud and corruption.
Premier Mahumapelo said he supports the efforts, as he is mandated by his organisation and the ruling party, the ANC, to intensify at all fronts, the campaign against greed, crime and corruption.
To ensure that crime is prioritised, Mahumapelo said his province adopted a monthly Setsokotsane programme focusing on 10 campaigns, which includes crime and corruption.
“In my recent SOPA [State of the Province] in Marikana, I reiterated that we must work and allow South Africa’s law enforcement agencies to do their work without fear, favour or prejudice,” he said.
The North West has recently come under fire for its procurement of a mobile clinic under the Mediosa contract, which the Health Minister described as a “money laundering scheme”, saying it should be cancelled.
The Premier assured residents of the North West that the provincial government also has ongoing investigations into allegations of crime and corruption in its departments.
“We also want to remind our people that we have instituted various ongoing investigations such as the SIU [Special Investigating Unit] in the department of Public Works and Roads, forensic investigations in the Departments of Health, Local Government and Human Settlements, and … other departments, including some of the municipalities,” said the Premier.
Premier Mahumapelo said the Hawks raid should not be sensationalised but should rather be seen as supporting the efforts of law enforcement agencies.
“As soon as all other forensic investigations are completed, we will accordingly inform the people of the province and South Africa at large,” said Premier Mahumapelo. – SAnews.gov.za
