
President Ramaphosa authorizes probe into government departments
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday authorized an investigation into allegations of irregularities and unlawful conduct at several government departments, the presidency said on Friday.
This is the latest move by Ramaphosa aimed at tackling alleged corruption and misgoverance in the administration of his predecessor Jacob Zuma, who was forced from office in February by the ruling African National Congress.
The presidency said in a statement that the proclamations authorize investigations of “allegations of serious irregularities in relation to procurement of goods” and “improper or unlawful conduct by employees or officials.”
The targeted institutions include The National Department of Public Works and several departments and municipalities in the provincial Eastern Cape government.
The probes will be conducted by the Special Investigation Unit, which has a broad remit to look into “serious malpractices or maladministration in the administration of the state.”