The Inkatha Freedom Party in KwaZulu-Natal feels vindicated now that KZN Premier Senzo Mchunu has acknowledged what the IFP has been saying for many years regarding the high levels of corruption in the government sector.
“Premier Mchunu has finally acknowledged that the IFP was right all along and we are happy that he has spoken out at the provincial lekgotla by saying that corruption is rife in government. As the IFP we have pointed this out to Premier Mchunu, as well as to his predecessors, many times over and even provided examples and instances where corruption is continuing unchecked. The only reason that they did not acknowledge our concerns and act to stop corruption is that they could not bring themselves to admit that the cadres who they had deployed were letting them down. Previous premiers and even Mchunu could not accept that their own comrades were involved in such high levels of corruption. Charges of fraud were laid against senior members of the Provincial Cabinet including MEC Peggy Nkonyeni when she was MEC for Health and MEC Mike Mabuyakhulu, MEC for Economic Development & Tourism, but those charges were miraculously and inexplicably dropped,” said IFP Leader in the KZN Legislature, Mr Blessed Gwala MPL.
“The ugly tentacles of corruption have a firm grip on most sectors of government so much so that whistle blowers are afraid to come forward with information.
Although Mchunu has identified the supply chain sector as a possible weak link where corruption could take place, we are convinced that there are many other sectors in the procurement, storage and distribution process where corruption is rife. Corruption is costing the province millions of Rands in stolen resources that were meant to benefit our people. Some corrupt officials working in cahoots with desperate companies are depriving our people of essential services and these officials must be identified, charged and if found guilty must be fired without delay”, continued Mr Gwala.
“Now that Mchunu has acknowledged the problem of corruption in government, it would have been good if he had also outlined what he intends to do about it. He needs to start at cabinet level and then work through all sectors of government administration. We as the IFP will assist in weeding out corruption wherever it may rear its ugly head and assure the Premier of our co-operation in this regard”, concluded Mr Gwala.
Issued by:
Mr Blessed Gwala,
IFP National Chairperson and Leader of the IFP in the KZN Legislature, 078 290 5842
Media Enquiries:
Mr Phendulani Biyase, IFP KZN Legislature Media Officer, 073 024 5675