Cosatu 'concerned' at public protector allegations

The fight against corruption is a national priority and nothing must be allowed to get in its way, says Cosatu.

Cosatu had noted with growing concern the allegations being made against public protector Thuli Madonsela by members of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), Cosatu spokesman Patrick Craven said in a statement on Friday.

"We are equally concerned, however, with the counter-allegation that these elements in the Hawks are waging a campaign to discredit and intimidate the public protector, who has been investigating suspect property deals involving both the SA Police Service and the Department of Public Works."

Justice Minister Jeff Radebe had confirmed that his department had not made any request for the SAPS to investigate the protector, that an investigation of similar allegations against her in 2009 had found no evidence of wrong-doing and that the matter was closed.

"Any genuine allegations must be fully investigated, and no one is above the law," Craven said.

"But this must not interrupt the ongoing probes that the public protector is conducting into allegations of the misuse of public funds and corrupt deals."

Madonsela was to be commended for fearlessly trying to expose crime and corruption, fully in line with the mandate from the ANC Polokwane conference and last year's national general council, which listed the fight against crime and corruption as one of the five top national priorities.

Cosatu welcomed and agreed with the Presidency's statement that reiterated "the government's commitment and support to the work and office of the public protector as stipulated in law" and that she "should be allowed to do her work without fear or favour and without hindrance".

"The battle to defeat corruption is a top national priority and nothing must be allowed to undermine or slow down investigations which seek to expose corruption and bring the perpetrators to justice," Craven said.