Independent senior counsel to conduct GFIS investigations, says Makhubele
An independent senior counsel will be appointed to probe investigations conducted by the Group Forensics and Investigation Services (GFIS).
This was confirmed by Joburg Council speaker Colleen Makhubele at a media briefing in Braamfontein on Thursday.
The briefing was an update to the media and public on what Makhubele has termed as the "unlawful and questionable conduct of the GFIS Department and its operations".
Makhubele says that City Manager Floyd Brink flagged some "legal challenges" that may be encountered if council had to investigate the report itself.
"His advice was that Council must not delegate its powers, and must also subject the questionable investigations of GFIS to a review by an independent Senior Counsel to advise which ones must be discharged or condoned or started afresh," said Makhubele.
The controversial GFIS investigation is set to investigate alleged corruption and fraud in the city that allegedly implicates both officials and councillors.
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The GFIS unit was founded in 2016 under the administration of former mayor Herman Mashaba and headed by former Hawks Head Shadrack Sibiya.
According to Makhubele, the council was made aware of the GFIS report in March after a "certain" senior official from the GFIS department informed them of it.
"In this disclosure he stated that they were instructed by Mr Sibiya to contravene the law and launch various rogue and clandestine investigations against senior officials and councillors."
Makhubele also claimed that she has been investigated by the GFIS unit.
"I, myself, was a victim of this unit. The situation of dozens more is still to be clarified. So I cannot be seen to be influencing this process in any way."
