"Those involved in corruption, we say your days are numbered"

"Those involved in corruption, we say your days are numbered" - Ramaphosa

28 August 2017 4:58 PM

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for the Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to immediately investigate allegations of state capture.

Ramaphosa was speaking at a Cosatu rally in Seshego just outside Polokwane in Limpopo province.

He says there is no need to wait anymore for a Commission of Inquiry, which has yet to be appointed.

Read: Corruption at SOEs and state capture are separate issues, foundation explains

We are saying we want to get rid of corruption. Those who had been involved in corruption, we say your days are numbered, we are coming after you.
— Cyril Ramaphosa, Deputy President

The Hawks and NPA must start now, they mustn't sit on their laurels, they must do their work and investigate so that those who are involved they must be dealt with.
— Cyril Ramaphosa, Deputy President

Executive Director at Corruption Watch, David Lewis, says what Ramaphosa is saying is music to his ears but it is music we should have heard months ago.

He says there has been sufficient evidence from the media, civil rights organisations as well as the leaked emails to warrant prosecutions.

I agree with the deputy president that this notion of waiting for commission of inquiry could take years and the findings are not binding, what we need is for this country's criminal justice system to act immediately.
— David Lewis Managing Director for Corruption Watch

There can't be a political solution to a criminal investigation ... that's a decision to be made by investigative authority, by police and by the prosecuting authority.
— David Lewis Managing Director for Corruption Watch

To hear more of this interview, listen below:

Written by: Lengwadishang Ramphele