ActionSA’s Johannesburg Caucus condemns the decision by the Speaker of Council, Cllr Margaret Arnolds, to revoke the rightful suspension of the Special and Independent Investigation Committee (SIIC), a witch-hunt body established solely to target and discredit the fight against corruption and mismanagement in the City of Johannesburg.
It is clear that this move is a blatant attempt to shield certain individuals from accountability and to undermine the progress made in combating corruption and mismanagement in the City of Johannesburg, a fight that Herman Mashaba launched with great success when he established the Group Forensic and Investigation Services (GFIS), which investigated over 6 000 cases involving transactions worth R35 billion.
Regrettably, the facts suggest that the SIIC was established to appease Al Jama-ah, a minority party with only 3 members in council and to reverse the progress made in addressing corruption and mismanagement within the city, with the timing and circumstances of its establishment raising serious concerns about the true intentions behind the committee.
The dubious targeting of GFIS began in 2021 when they uncovered a fraudulent Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by Thapelo Amad, the then-MMC for Development Planning. Despite a court ruling in Sibiya v. Amad and Others exonerating GFIS of any wrongdoing, the governing coalition has without a shred of evidence accused them of overstepping their authority. This is a clear attempt to discredit GFIS and undermine their efforts to investigate corruption.
ActionSA again urges those intent on continuing this witch-hunt to instead question why over R12 million has been squandered on the SIIC to date, with no preliminary report ever released and no progress made over this period.
ActionSA demands that GFIS be allowed to operate without interference and that the Speaker ensures GFIS can carry out its responsibilities free from political meddling or obstacles. Furthermore, we call on the governing coalition to make Zebediela’s report public, as it appears to be the primary basis for their argument.
ActionSA will remain vigilant and oppose any attempts to return Johannesburg to an era of rampant corruption. We will ensure that credible allegations are thoroughly investigated through independent channels, promoting transparency and accountability.
ActionSA Condemns Dubious Motives in Revoking the Suspension of Witch Hunt Investigation into Anti-Corruption Unit
ActionSA’s Johannesburg Caucus condemns the decision by the Speaker of Council, Cllr Margaret Arnolds, to revoke the rightful suspension of the Special and Independent Investigation Committee (SIIC), a witch-hunt body established solely to target and discredit the fight against corruption and mismanagement in the City of Johannesburg.
It is clear that this move is a blatant attempt to shield certain individuals from accountability and to undermine the progress made in combating corruption and mismanagement in the City of Johannesburg, a fight that Herman Mashaba launched with great success when he established the Group Forensic and Investigation Services (GFIS), which investigated over 6 000 cases involving transactions worth R35 billion.
Regrettably, the facts suggest that the SIIC was established to appease Al Jama-ah, a minority party with only 3 members in council and to reverse the progress made in addressing corruption and mismanagement within the city, with the timing and circumstances of its establishment raising serious concerns about the true intentions behind the committee.
The dubious targeting of GFIS began in 2021 when they uncovered a fraudulent Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by Thapelo Amad, the then-MMC for Development Planning. Despite a court ruling in Sibiya v. Amad and Others exonerating GFIS of any wrongdoing, the governing coalition has without a shred of evidence accused them of overstepping their authority. This is a clear attempt to discredit GFIS and undermine their efforts to investigate corruption.
ActionSA again urges those intent on continuing this witch-hunt to instead question why over R12 million has been squandered on the SIIC to date, with no preliminary report ever released and no progress made over this period.
ActionSA demands that GFIS be allowed to operate without interference and that the Speaker ensures GFIS can carry out its responsibilities free from political meddling or obstacles. Furthermore, we call on the governing coalition to make Zebediela’s report public, as it appears to be the primary basis for their argument.
ActionSA will remain vigilant and oppose any attempts to return Johannesburg to an era of rampant corruption. We will ensure that credible allegations are thoroughly investigated through independent channels, promoting transparency and accountability.