Pretoria– The National Head of the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation Lieutenant General Mthandazo Ntlemeza has noted media reports published in the Sunday Times (2016/06/19) regarding apparent filing of corruption charges against three ministers and the Gupta family.

Lieutenant General Ntlemeza wishes to categorically distance the DPCI from these baseless, malicious reports which are designed and clearly aimed at casting denunciations on the three ministers – Minister of Public Enterprises Lynne Brown, Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies and Minister of Defence Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.

For the record, the DPCI did receive an affidavit from Ms Vytjie Mentor which was handed over to the Hawks by the Western Cape Provincial Commissioner’s office for further processing. The DPCI was surprised to see an about turn by the Sunday Times enquiry on a nonexistent case docket. The reporter was informed that no case docket was envisaged opened pending the finalization of the enquiry.

The content thereof which cannot be revealed, since it is now subject to an enquiry, is being probed by the DPCI Anti-Corruption Unit. In the said statement though, there is no mention of the three ministers. There is no case docket opened as the investigations into the inquiry are still ongoing. It is therefore malicious to suggest that the Hawks are influencing a decision to investigate the three ministers

In terms of good management, all investigations in the DPCI remain confidential. Lieutenant General Ntlemeza has, since his appointment in the DPCI, put structures in place to ensure good governance practices. The DPCI does not make provision for sources or members to provide information to anyone on investigations. This report has clearly breached the confidentiality of the enquiry.

The DPCI view this as a desperate attempt to instil fear, instability and distrust. The DPCI distance itself and would like to assure all South Africans including Ms Vytjie Mentor, that it will work together with its citizens to ensure all national priority crimes are dealt with impartially and without fear, favour, bias or prejudice.

No further comments be made on the matter.