Eastern Cape corruption allegations 15-07-08

 

Eastern Cape corruption allegations

The Congress of South African Trade Unions is seriously concerned at the allegations of corruption said to be contained in a report of a Commission headed by Eastern Cape judge Ronnie Pillay.

COSATU has consistently condemned the theft of public funds by politicians who have been deployed to public office to serve the people but then betray the people’s trust by stealing state resources for their personal enrichment.

However, given the circumstances under which the information has come to light, in the form of a leak of only parts of a report to the Eastern Cape provincial government which has not yet been officially released, judgement must be reserved until the full, official report is published and the matter has been fully investigated. There must be no more trials by media, based only on leaked allegations.

If however it is proved to be true that any senior provincial politicians corruptly stole money from the province's public coffers, then those accused must be charged, prosecuted and, if found guilty, punished severely.