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[File Image] President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers the opening address of the National House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders at the Good Hope Chamber in Parliament, Cape Town.
President Cyril Ramaphosa says the government is implementing the recommendations of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into State Capture.
The President was responding to accusations by some of the political parties in Parliament that government has failed to implement the recommendations.
Speaking during the debate on the budget of the Presidency, Ramaphosa says the government has implemented major reforms, including creating new laws.
“In the three years since the final report of the State Capture Commission was presented to the President, the state has undertaken major reforms based on the recommendations and created new legislation. Eight new laws have been enacted to strengthen our anti-corruption institutions.
“Enhance procurement systems. Reform the intelligence services as well as improve corporate accountability and public administration. The value of assets that were linked to state capture that have been recovered by the state now stands at R11 billion,” the President adds.
Ramaphosa says it is important to get to the bottom of claims made by KwaZulu-Natal provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, which is why he has appointed a judicial commission of inquiry.
Mkhwanazi alleged that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu is connected to persons linked to criminal activities and that top police officials are involved in criminal activities.
Mchunu has been placed on leave of absence.
Several political parties have criticised the establishment of the Commission.
Ramaphosa was speaking during the debate on the budget of the presidency in Parliament.
“These allegations are serious. They are also untested. It is therefore necessary that we establish the facts through an independent, credible, and thorough process. So that we can ensure that there is accountability as well as safeguard public confidence in the police.”
“It is therefore strange that some people have voiced some strong opposition to the establishment of this enquiry. Some have even said I should take immediate punitive steps against Mr Senzo Mchunu on the basis of untested allegations.”
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has lamented that Police Minister Senzo Mchunu was not fired with immediate effect amid allegations made by Lieutenant-General Mkhwanazi.
Mkhwanazi alleged that Mchunu, who has since been placed on special leave, is connected to persons linked to criminal activities and that top police officials are involved in criminal activities.
EFF MP Nontando Nolutshungu says, “As we stand here, Minister Mchunu was not fired. He was not arrested. He was put on special leave, something the President has no power to do. This has been another trait of Ramaphosa’s presidency, akin to a dictatorship, where he conducts himself outside the confines of the constitution.”
Meanwhile, the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has joined others in welcoming the decision taken by President Cyril Ramaphosa to establish a judicial commission of inquiry to probe issues of national security.
IFP MP Nhlanhla Hadebe says while there are fears regarding the implementation of the recommendations of various commissions in the past, they are satisfied with the approach taken by Ramaphosa.
“Commissions of inquiry are instituted in a moment of crisis. A national response to a national calamity, close quote. They exist to help the nation understand the full scope of the problem. It is in this context that the IFP welcomes the President’s decision to act on our recommendation for a commission of inquiry as a response to the serious allegations raised by Mkhwanazi.”
Build One South Africa (BOSA) leader, Mmusi Maimane, has lamented the increasing number of brutal murders in South Africa, saying about 26 000 people were killed last year alone.
Maimane says President Cyril Ramaphosa needs to take decisive action to end crime in the country. “Mr President, when you look at the trend line of crime, 26,000 people were murdered last year. If you were to take their coffins and line them up, they would line up from your door in Hyde Park all the way to the Union Buildings.
“As you drove that road every single day, Mr President, you will realize that we are dealing with a serious problem of murder. Mr President, I speak to you not as one who’s living in peaceful time. But one living in wartime. You’re living in a geopolitical terror force,” adds Maimane.
VIDEO | Mkhwanazi’s claims up for discussion in Parliament
