North West Legislature Portfolio Committee on Community Safety Honours Request to Share information on Cases of Corruption Opened with the Hawks

The North West Provincial Legislature Portfolio Committee on Community Safety, Transport Management, Public Works and Roads led by the Chairperson, Hon. Mmoloki Cwaile has, after receipt of request from Brown Mogotsi Foundation, resolved to honour their request and share the information, records and evidentiary proof about criminal cases registered with the Department of Police Crime Investigations (DPCI) known as The Hawks.

This follows representation and requisition made by Brown Mogotsi Foundation to request to access information of cases on allegations of corruption.
Hon. Cwaile said there is nothing prohibiting nor precluding the sharing of requested information with Brown Mogotsi Foundation in ‘theory, law and in practice so long as it is done in good faith and
for pursuit of the public interests’.

“The request made by Brown Mogotsi Foundation does not contradict nor stand-counter pose to democratic constitutionalism and it is in the
best interests of the public. We should find it easy to work with civil society organisations (CSOs) in pursuit of common interests for the good of the public and service delivery.

“We have openly and transparently dealt with the allegations of corruption which overshadow good work being done in the public discourse and greatly affect negatively service delivery and benefit
of the communities. Although we trust our law enforcement establishments, they have delayed and prolonged in processing criminal cases referred to them,” said Hon. Cwaile.

He said structures like media houses, pressure groups and CSOs are able to hold public servants and public representatives diagonally
accountable. “The accountability being exercised by legislature is horizontal accountability and voters are also holding public representatives accountable vertically and we are all able to exercise varying accountability responsibilities.

“We, the public representatives, are honour-bound to cooperate with the public interests-driven organisations at all material times and serve best the interests of the masses of our people,” said Hon. Cwaile.
The Committee has shared records and information on varying criminal cases that relate to or are about allegations of corruption affecting provincial government departments, entities and municipalities have been shared with the Foundation.