Recognising that Corruption and maladministration are inconsistent with democracy and good governance, the democratic Government of the Republic of South Africa introduced legislation to set up specific mechanisms to root out corruption in government. Among these was the Special Investigating Units and the Special Tribunals Act of 1996. Serious Economic Offences and the National Directorate of Public Prosecutions. 5. Since government approved the Strategic Defence Procurement Package, there has been allegations around the integrity of the Strategic Defence Procurement Package. A thorough assessment has been done by the relevant Cabinet Committee as reported by Ministers Alec Erwin, Mosioua Lekota, Jeff Radebe and Trevor Manuel last week.
Cabinet is of the firm view that the procurement process was undertaken with the utmost integrity.
In this regard, Judge Heath requested the President to issue a proclamation authorising the Special Investigating Unit headed by himself to investigate the Strategic Defence Procurement Package. This request was supported by the chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts of Parliament. Minister Maduna considered this matter and recommended that the SIU should not be included in the investigation. The President received further information and submissions from the Auditor-General, the Public Protector, and the National Director of Public Prosecutions in order to make his determination. The President also received submissions from Judge Heath.