DA asks Ramaphosa to launch SIU probe into Mashatile corruption claims

JOHANNESBURG - The Democratic Alliance (DA) has requested President Cyril Ramaphosa to launch a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) probe into corruption allegations against Deputy President Paul Mashatile.

News24 wrote several stories alleging the deputy president had corrupt relationships with businesspeople who benefitted from state tenders.

The DA released a statement on Monday morning, calling for formal investigations into the allegations.

DA leader John Steenhuisen said Mashatile stands accused of serious acts of abuse of power and state capture.

"It is a clear pattern with Cyril Ramaphosa: instead of leading, he chooses to cower in the hopes that his ANC government’s scandals will simply blow over.

"Just as in the case of Nzimande, the ANC has only made some mealy-mouthed comments about Mashatile appearing before the party’s misnamed Integrity Committee."

At a recent ANC NEC meeting, the party's secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, said Mashatile was not formally charged by any law enforcement agency.

He said while the ANC took the allegations seriously, it could not succumb to a trial by media.