Johannesburg - An investigation into the leaking of the provisional Nkandla report under Thuli Madonsela's watch must be launched, the SACP said on Sunday.
“The time has come for an independent investigation into the leaking from the office, and to establish whether all those within the office have the appropriate security clearance,” the party said in a statement.
The South African Communist Party wrapped up its three-day central executive committee meeting in Johannesburg at the weekend.
“There have also been other concerning issues,” the party said.
“We were puzzled by her (Madonsela’s) earlier public statement that some people 'would be disappointed' with her final report on Nkandla, as if this important investigation was about playing to a gallery and dishing up a particular pre-determined outcome.”
The comments were in reaction to a Mail & Guardian article published on Friday, that President Jacob Zuma had received substantial personal benefits from the multi-million-rand upgrade to his Nkandla residence.
“The office of the Public Protector is a critically important institution... Anything that undermines confidence in the office, or that gives the impression of over-reaching or limelight-seeking, will weaken the office and, paradoxically, it will create a smoke-screen behind which those who are corrupt will seek to hide.”
The party expressed deep concern at the “ongoing ructions” within the Congress of South African Trade Unions' (Cosatu) biggest affiliate union, the National Union of Metalworkers South Africa.
“We have noted and condemned the persisting disruptive behaviour of a leadership clique within Numsa.”
The SACP accused Numsa of deviating from its primary mandate of building the working class.
It said Numsa leaders were focusing on personal ambition and personal wealth accumulation.
“Irvin Jim and his deputy general secretary and long-standing business partner Karl Cloete should be challenged to undergo independent life-style audits.
“They must be asked to come clean on the work of the union's investment arm and its relationship to its holdings in Dove, the funerals, insurance and finance company. What is the relationship?” the party asked. - Sapa