By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
State Security Minister Ayanda Dlodlo has ordered a forensic investigation into allegations of judges being bribed.
Speaking during a question and answer session in the National Assembly, Dlodlo said she had made every effort to obtain information regarding the impugned projects.
“I have as a matter of fact directed the head of intelligence in the domestic branch to initiate a forensic investigation into the allegations as these alleged transgressions occurred in the domestic branch,” she said.
Dlodlo was responding to questions from EFF MP Quinton Ndlozi, who asked for the names of judges and amounts paid to them as part of the Project Justice, which was revealed at the Zondo Commission during the testimonies of former minister Sydney Mufamadi and acting director-general of State Security Agency Loyiso Jafta.
She said she was not in a position to respond to the question based on the little information presented to her to back up the allegation.
“I have on several occasions and up until this morning requested the DG to furnish my office with more info related to allegations against members of the judiciary.
“I cannot adequately confirm this to South Africans on a matter as serious as this without information backing up these allegations.”
She said the allegation relating to the so-called Project Justice and many other projects that were mentioned at the commission by Jafta and Mufamadi remained one of great concern not only for the integrity of the agency and its members but the very foundations of the democratic state.
The minister said she was concerned with aspects of the testimonies given at the state capture commission.
The allegations made by both the acting DG and Dr Mufamadi in respect of the so-called Project Justice have not been verified, nor had there been evidence presented to her in respect of what was said in the testimonies.
“I have on more than one occasion, following testimonies of both of them, asked the DG to furnish me and my office with info in relation to this project and up until this morning and this point I do not have much information at my disposal.”
She insisted that she was now accounting for allegations that were not backed up by any evidence she had knowledge of.