JOHANNESBURG – The Public Protector’s office says investigating the alleged Gupta influence over the government would be tax money well spent.
Thuli Madonsela is considering approaching Treasury to ask for money to investigate the Gupta family after her office received two complaints.
The first was laid by church leaders and the other by Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Mmusi Maimane.
The Public Protector’s office is obliged to investigate the complaint of alleged Gupta influence laid by Maimane, as he has accused the Cabinet of breaching the Executive Members Ethics Act.
But the Chapter 9 institution does not have the money to do so.
Deputy Public Protector Kevin Malunga says the matter is certainly in the public interest.
“The African National Congress (ANC) itself said it is investigating so it is something of national interest which I think wouldn’t be a waste of their money so to speak. It will be money well spent.”
Meanwhile, a separate investigation into alleged corruption by the Gupta family is now being led by the Hawks, while the ANC has launched its own probe.
The Hawks say they aren’t able to divulge the nature of their investigation just yet.
Spokesperson Robert Netshiunda said, “We received the docket concerning the matter between the DA and the Guptas. The case has been transferred to us and we will be investigating it. We won’t be releasing the content of the docket as we still need to study it and see where we need to go.”
FORMAL CHARGES
Earlier this month, Maimane and DA shadow Finance Minister David Maynier called on police to investigate charges of corruption against the Guptas and President Jacob Zuma’s son, Duduzane.
This after Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas and former ANC MP Vytjie Mentor confirmed they had been offered government jobs through the Guptas.
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