Hawks claims must be probed
When President Cyril Ramaphosa came to power in 2018, one of his pledges as part of fighting corruption, was to restore trust in our law enforcement agencies.
The credibility of our law enforcement apparatus had been badly eroded after they were used to serve the nefarious political agendas of former president Jacob Zuma and his cronies.
Ramaphosa’s anti-corruption stance was premised on a claim that control and influence over our law enforcement agencies would be wrested from political rogues, allowing them to operate independently, without fear, favour or prejudice.
This is precisely why the latest claims made by Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane against the Hawks ought to concern us all.
The Hawks have been investigating Mabuyane for having allegedly benefited from money siphoned from the Mbizana municipality in the province.
Mabuyane contends the money he received was a loan from MEC Babalo Madikizela, who was a business person at the time.
In his court papers, filed at the Bhisho high court last month, Mabuyane claims that the investigation by the Hawks is a witch-hunt driven by his political opponent, suspended ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule. He cites the fact it is the Hawks from the Free State, where Magashule was previously premier, that are conducting the probe.
Whether his claim is true or not will be determined by the court.
Regardless, its implications cannot be ignored.
If untrue, it means that in his desperate bid to deflect from the allegations against him, the premier has used his standing to cast dangerous aspersions on the credibility of our law enforcement.
If true, it means despite Ramaphosa’s promises of reform, our law enforcement machinery continues to be used for nefarious political battles, to our detriment.
Either way, we must know the truth.
Mabuyane’s claim goes beyond one man’s attempt to stave off an investigation that may derail his political career. It also goes beyond the ANC’s factional battles.
This claim, by a prominent leader in government, goes to the heart of public trust in the institutions that ought to be the guardians of our constitution.