Ndabeni-Abrahams Integrity Commission

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – SEPTEMBER 04: Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, SA Minister of Communications at a panel discussion arranged by Brand South Africa on the theme: Enhancing the Ease of doing business in South Africa on September 04, 2019 in Cape Town, South Africa. The event was a precursor to the World Economic Forum on Africa which opened later in the day. (Photo by Gallo Images/Jeffrey Abrahams)

Ndabeni-Abrahams voluntarily subjects herself to Integrity Commission

Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, in an effort, to root out corruption, has submitted herself to the Integrity Commission.

Ndabeni-Abrahams Integrity Commission

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – SEPTEMBER 04: Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, SA Minister of Communications at a panel discussion arranged by Brand South Africa on the theme: Enhancing the Ease of doing business in South Africa on September 04, 2019 in Cape Town, South Africa. The event was a precursor to the World Economic Forum on Africa which opened later in the day. (Photo by Gallo Images/Jeffrey Abrahams)

Minister of Communication and Digital Technologies Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, has taken a brave step to eradicate corruption in her department. The minister has voluntarily submitted herself to the African National Congress (ANC) Integrity Commission. 

According to the minister’s spokesperson Mish Molakeng, this comes after the publication of a series of speculative media reports in recent weeks alleging possible business dealings, by senior officials, in state-owned entities under her portfolio, as well as, members of her family.

NDABENI-ABRAHAMS SUBMITS HERSELF TO INTEGRITY COMMISSION TO ADDRESS ALLEGATIONS 

In recent meetings held with senior executives and board members of state-owned-entities under her portfolio, the Ndabeni-Abrahams has emphasised the call for public servants to cease doing business with the State. 

According to Molakeng, she has also encouraged officials in her department, and senior executives in the entities under her portfolio to report corrupt activities to law enforcement agencies without fear or favour, institute disciplinary measures against officials or employees found to be doing business with the State and take appropriate measures against any persons seeking to use members of her family to access business opportunities in the entities under her portfolio.

“In a show of commitment to eradicating corruption in her department and protect the integrity of her office, and in line with the example already set by President Cyril Ramaphosa, the Minister has also subjected herself voluntarily to the Integrity Committee of the ANC to address any allegations of impropriety that have been published against her office,” said Molakeng. 

LEADING BY EXAMPLE 

Ndabeni-Abrahams said she has emphasised to her department, and all officials in the public entities that fall under her portfolio, that they must be resolute in eradicating corruption and lead by example in fighting impropriety in the entities they oversee. 

When asked how she viewed media reports which allege impropriety in her office, she said; 

“The media is an important democratic institution for holding public officials to account and must be respected. It was our hope that our responses, which are always open and transparent, to questions from the media, would be sufficient to address any public concerns about these matters and to inform the public on the truth of the matters reported upon.” 

Speaking of leading by example, Ramaphosa said he can’t appear before the integrity commission just yet due to unfinished business. 

“I have been waiting for legal processes from the Public Protector and law agencies [before attending the Integrity Commission]. They are still investigating the CR17 funding issue. I will raise this with the Commission, and pave a way forward for all future campaign funding,” he said.