Nene takes aim at state enterprises in economic revival
Stern warning for those involved in corruption
Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene has vowed to clean up state-owned enterprises and government in order to put the South African economy on a recovery path.
At his first public appearance since his appointment, Nene told the Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa) yesterday that change would be seen in his first 100 days in office.
“You must have seen how some of the law enforcement agencies are actually beginning to find their muscle in order to be able to do what they are supposed to do,” said Nene.
“We are getting people charged these days [and] we are getting investigations that are rolling out that we never thought would be rolled out and there are no holy cows when it comes to that.”
He said anyone involved in corruption would be prosecuted, adding that amnesty shouldn’t even be considered.
Nene was axed by former president Jacob Zuma in December 2015 and replaced with Des van Rooyen. But four days later, Zuma was forced to sack Van Rooyen and reappointed Pravin Gordhan, after the rand collapsed in value.
“State capture and all of these things are receiving the attention of government in order to restore the confidence, to ensure that no matter how little resources we have on the table, those are spent in a responsible manner,” he said.
Eskom chairman Jabu Mabuza said corruption had “spread like cancer” through the public and private sector and must be dealt with. “There’s a great deal of work to be done to restore the rule of law, rebuild clean, capable delivery-focused government and restore business and investor confidence...”