S. African police reject reports on probe against 3 ministers

The South African Police Service (SAPS) on Tuesday rejected allegations about an investigation against three cabinet ministers.

This came after the Sunday Times reported that Minister of Public Enterprises Lynne Brown, Minister of Trade and Industry Rob Davies and Minister of Defence Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula were being investigated for charges of corruption in relation to the Indian Gupta family which is accused for exerting undue influence in South African state affairs.

The report said the investigation was conducted by the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (DPCI), known as Hawks.

"(Hawks) Lieutenant General Ntlemeza wishes to categorically distance the DPCI from these baseless, malicious reports which are designed and clearly aimed at casting denunciations on the three ministers," the SAPS said in a statement.

For the record, the DPCI did receive an affidavit which was handed over by the Western Cape Provincial Commissioner Vytjie Mentor 's office for further processing, the statement said.

The DPCI was surprised to see an about-turn by the Sunday Times enquiry on a non-existent case docket, it added.

There is no case docket opened as the investigations into the inquiry are still ongoing, the statement said.

"It is therefore malicious to suggest that the Hawks are influencing a decision to investigate the three ministers," the statement said, adding that the DPCI views this as "a desperate attempt to instil fear, instability and distrust".

"The DPCI distance itself and would like to assure all South Africans including Ms Vytjie Mentor, that it will work together with its citizens to ensure all national priority crimes are dealt with impartially and without fear, favour, bias or prejudice," the statement noted. Enditem