Issued by: Minister of Justice
4 April 2001
The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development, is astonished by a statement attributed to Judge Willem Heath in the media this morning that "corruption governs a South Africa led by people who are not serious about fighting it, and steps have to be taken to ensure the country does not "go the same way" as third world Africa.
The statement went on to say "corruption governs the country. We are confronted with the fact that we are operating in Africa essentially - a third world country.There is a culture of dishonesty in South Africa. Only a few members of government were guilty of ignoring corruption, but unfortunately only a "few people were running politics".
The Ministry is indeed disappointed with the Judge's remarks which are in our view familiar to that normally uttered by a particular opposition party. The Ministry however, hope that the Judicial Service Commission will take note of these remarks.
A statement of this nature directed at people who are already investing or interested in investing in our country does not only discouraging them, but seriously undermine the government's efforts of rooting-out corruption and mal-administration.
The Judge should have noted with appreciation the fact that this government is the one which promulgated the law establishing the "Special Investigating Units", currently led by him. Perhaps the Judge should have informed the conference that the government has taken major steps against corruption by in addition to his Unit, establishing mechanism such as the Public Protector Office, the Asset Forfeiture Unit as well as reorganising the office for Serious Economic Offence.
Issued by Paul Setsetse
On Behalf of the Minister of Justice
Cape Town
Cell: 083-252-4770