/ 15 July 2008

Cosatu not being drawn on Pillay allegations

The Congress of South African Trade Unions says it will reserve judgement on corruption allegations reportedly contained in the Pillay commission report, but if they are found to be true, the perpetrators must be punished.

The trade-union body said on Tuesday that it has consistently condemned the theft of public funds by politicians in public office, but cautioned that parts of the report were leaked and not officially released.

The document reportedly contains allegations against Correctional Services Minister Makhenkesi Stofile, a former Eastern Cape premier; current African National Congress Eastern Cape provincial chairperson Stone Sizani, a former provincial education minister; and Enoch Godongwana, a former provincial economic affairs minister and current head of the Financial Sector Charter Council.

Stofile reportedly rejected the allegations and the Sunday Times said the four had given Judge Ronnie Pillay until Wednesday afternoon to withdraw the allegations, if they are indeed in the report.

Premier Nosimo Balindlela has received a copy of the report and it may be released on July 31, a spokesperson said.

Pillay was not immediately available to comment. — Sapa