Calls mount for Apartheid looters to be held accountable

United Democratic Movement (UDM) spokesperson on Finance and Economic matters, Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, says those who were implicated in the alleged looting of state funds towards the end of the apartheid rule should be held accountable.

“Corruption and it should be dealt with the same way  that we have been saying the South African government should deal with the arms deal. That's money that can actually be used to build houses for our people. That's money that can be used to deliver services. R27 billion is a huge some of money that can actually make sure that we invest it in the improvement of  the lives of ordinary South Africans.”

The F W de Klerk Foundation also says it would welcome any investigation into allegations that state funds and resources were looted towards the end of the apartheid rule.

The foundation is responding to comments by analyst Waheed Patel that billions of rand were allegedly siphoned from government coffers.

Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela is currently conducting a preliminary investigation into the matter after a complaint was lodged with her office.

The foundation's executive director Dave Steward says: “I really don't think levels of corruption were this high during the old system as under the present one, but if there is evidence of some people having enriched themselves illegally, fine track them down, prosecute them, get the money back we would support that. We don't want corruption and criminals from any quarter, from the past present or the future”.

"The longer it takes to investigate the alleged looting of state funds during the apartheid era, the more likely it is for crucial evidence to get lost."

Parliament's Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) Chairperson and African People's Convention (APC) leader, Themba Godi says the longer it takes to investigate the alleged looting of state funds during the apartheid era, the more likely it is for crucial evidence to get lost.

“This issue of the reported looting of funds under apartheid represents the general trend that we have had since 1994 wherein crimes committed under white minority rule have been swept under the carpet and every other day we are being told about the crimes and weaknesses of  the democratic dispensation, which seeks to take our minds  away from the wrongs and atrocities that were committed under white minority rule. As the APC we would love that the truth be known, so that even those who are playing holier than thou today  can be made it account for the wrongs that they have done.”