The Congress of the People is gratified by the action taken by the KZN MEC for Social Development Meshak Radebe and KZN MEC for Finance Ina Cronje, who have commissioned a forensic investigation into government-funded projects in the province. The review, conducted by the Independent Development Trust, investigated 127 government-funded projects and uncovered widespread financial mismanagement and fraud. The extent of the fraud is still being investigated, although one investigation has revealed missing money to the tune of more than R6 million. The report recommends both criminal and civil action against both project employees and government officials.

"COPE is especially gratified that the ruling ANC saw fit to take opposition parties into their confidence with regard to this investigation," says COPE's KZN MPL Lucky Gabela. "This signals a new openness and transparency in government. Instead of doing an investigation internally, with all the concomitant secrecy and potential cover-ups, the ANC has played open cards with opposition parties. They are therefore joining hands with us to more effectively combat crime and corruption, even within their own ranks."

COPE stresses once again the need for a strong opposition in government.

"This episode serves to confirm the necessity of a strong, credible opposition in government," says Gabela. "With a weak opposition, corruption and mismanagement are allowed to be swept under the carpet. A strong opposition cannot be ignored and wished away. Ever since the rise of the Congress of the People, the ANC has discovered that COPE has given people an alternative voice. This has made them more accountable, and they are as a result beginning to behave like a mature governing party."