Covid-19 inter-ministerial committee ‘not replacing law enforcement’ - Lamola
Justice Minister Ronald Lamola says the inter-ministerial committee established to look into Covid-19 graft will not interfere with the work of law enforcement and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).
On Thursday, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that 6 ministers had been appointed to deal with the allegations of graft in the procurement of protective gear.
Lamola, who will chair the committee, said the committee’s role will be a go-between.
“The inter-ministerial committee is not replacing the work of the investigators in the fusion centre. We are there to call upon ours DGs and call upon the various players within the state that dealt with procurement.
“We are not replacing the constitutionally mandated law enforcement structures to deal with malpractice and corruption. They must continue to do their job, we are just going to help them with furthermore information.”
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Ramaphosa appoints 6 ministers to probe Covid-19 graft
The committee will comprise of six cabinet ministers including the Minister of Police, Minister in the Presidency, and Minister of Finance. Chaired by the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Ronald Lamola, the committee will look into corruption in the procurement of goods and services sourced for the purpose of containing and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The committee will comprise of six cabinet ministers including Minister of Police Bheki Cele, Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu and Minister of Finance Tito Mboweni.
“Cabinet reflected with disappointment on recent reports of acts of corruption and theft of much needed resources,” said Lamola.
“Some unscrupulous individuals and companies have been looting state resources that were meant to provide food to needy families and personal protective equipment to frontline officials.”
Lamola adds cabinet ministers are also likely to undergo lifestyles audits.
