Hawks probe Cabinet minister for Drug trafficking

Hawks probe Cabinet minister for drug trafficking
2014-08-17 08:30
Public Protector Thuli Madonsela speaks at a conference on crime and justice in Sandton, Johannesburg. (Werner Beukes, Sapa)
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Johannesburg - Public Protector Thuli Madonsela has handed over a case to the Hawks regarding an allegation that a Cabinet minister is linked to drug trafficking.

According to the Sunday Independent, Madonsela made the shocking disclosure during an address to the annual international conference hosted by the Institute for Security Studies last week.

She said her office was a safe harbour for whistleblowers and that when cases were of a criminal nature rather than one of administrative misconduct she handed them over to the relevant bodies such as the Hawks.

She said her office received the complaint some time last year that a member of the executive was involved in criminality involving abetting drug lords.

She said the matter had been referred to the Hawks.

She would not however name the minister nor give further details. The Hawks spokesperson failed to respond.

Madonsela told delegates at the conference that that transparency, accountability, and the rule of law are important elements in the fight against crime.

She said these three concepts were important as transparency and accountability challenge the rule of law in society, which leads to justice, Sapa reported.

Madonsela said transparency enabled the "wrongdoings of society to be exposed".

"If people know what is happening in society they can become an enforcer and put pressure on state officials to instil justice."

Accountability was also essential in the criminal justice system.

"Accountability is an obligation to be answerable for your behaviour and decisions," Sapa quoted her as saying.

- News24
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