Former deputy minister investigated for drug dealing

A former deputy minister is being investigated by the Hawks for alleged involvement in drug dealing, according to a report.

"The person that is being investigated was in the previous administration, not the current one," Hawks spokesman Paul Ramaloko told the Sunday Independent newspaper.

Ramaloko confirmed the investigation, apparently being handled by the Hawks' Western Cape office, was underway, but declined to name the individual.

A few weeks ago, at an Institute for Security Studies briefing, Public Protector Thuli Madonsela said she had referred the matter to the Hawks due to the criminal nature of the allegations.

"Some time last year we received a complaint that a certain member of the executive was involved in criminality involving abetting drug lords," she said at the time.