Johannesburg - The Special Investigating Unit will probe allegations that state attorneys defrauded the government of billions of rands by deliberately losing cases, the justice minister said on Tuesday, the latest crackdown on corruption under President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Ramaphosa, who replaced former president Jacob Zuma in February, has made the fight against corruption a key plank of his administration as he seeks to restore investor confidence after the scandal-plagued Zuma era.
The SIU will look into hundreds of cases where state attorneys are accused of colluding with private lawyers to agree on the settlement of fictitious claims.
"The investigation will help the Department of Justice to lay to rest concerns that have been raised," Justice Minister Michael Masutha told reporters.
"Where appropriate ... disciplinary action, as well as criminal investigations, will be initiated against alleged perpetrators to ensure that firm action is taken to uproot corrupt activities."
WATCH: Minister Cele says the Hawks intends to arrest and recover as much money from implicated officials as possible #StateAttorney pic.twitter.com/ylYaw4CblU
— SA Gov News (@SAgovnews) August 14, 2018
In the health ministry, one of the departments worst affected by the alleged fraud, claims totalling R56 billion will be investigated, Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi said at the same briefing.
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