THE National Prosecuting Authority's investigation unit, the Hawks, have raided offices of the beleaguered Congress of the People in Parliament.
The raid follows a recent KPMG forensic audit report suggesting that the Cope leadership might have committed fraud and money-laundering.
The audit report found more than R8million in financial irregularities, including a transfer of R5million of Parliamentary funds to Cope's party bank account to pay off pre-election debts.
It also found that R2million had been unlawfully used to pay for Cope's aborted congress at the St George's Hotel in Centurion in May this year.
On Wednesday Hawks investigators descended on Cope's offices in Parliament, taking statements and gatherings documents.
News of the seven-hour visit was kept under wraps until yesterday when the party's spokesperson, Phillip Dexter, confirmed that it had taken place.
But he declined to give details.
But two Cope insiders told Sowetan that the Hawks were following up on the KPMG forensic audit report.
They said the Hawks were investigating individuals named in the forensic audit report.
The audit report also identified about R1million worth of "possible fraudulent expenditure", including R580000 paid to a company owned by Malusi Booi, the Cope youth secretary.
Party leader Mosiuoa Lekota has pointed an accusing finger at Cope's former chief whip, Mbhazima Shilowa, who was the party's accounting officer in Parliament.
He has since been suspended for allegedly misusing the party's funds in Parliament.
But Shilowa has pointed out that members of the rival Lekota faction also signed off the payments.
Shilowa has also called on Lekota to reveal how the R5million transferred to Cope's party fund was spent.
There has been allegations that part of the money was used to pay Lekota's salary.
Hawks spokesperson Vishnu Naidoo would not confirm the investigation.
Meanwhile, Cope sources have revealed that former Limpopo premier Sello Moloto will contest provincial party elections in Limpopo this weekend against pro-Lekota candidate Solly Mkhatshwa, and pro-Shilowa candidate Fatuwane Rolex Nemanashe.
Hawks raid Cope
THE National Prosecuting Authority's investigation unit, the Hawks, have raided offices of the beleaguered Congress of the People in Parliament.
The raid follows a recent KPMG forensic audit report suggesting that the Cope leadership might have committed fraud and money-laundering.
The audit report found more than R8million in financial irregularities, including a transfer of R5million of Parliamentary funds to Cope's party bank account to pay off pre-election debts.
It also found that R2million had been unlawfully used to pay for Cope's aborted congress at the St George's Hotel in Centurion in May this year.
On Wednesday Hawks investigators descended on Cope's offices in Parliament, taking statements and gatherings documents.
News of the seven-hour visit was kept under wraps until yesterday when the party's spokesperson, Phillip Dexter, confirmed that it had taken place.
But he declined to give details.
But two Cope insiders told Sowetan that the Hawks were following up on the KPMG forensic audit report.
They said the Hawks were investigating individuals named in the forensic audit report.
The audit report also identified about R1million worth of "possible fraudulent expenditure", including R580000 paid to a company owned by Malusi Booi, the Cope youth secretary.
Party leader Mosiuoa Lekota has pointed an accusing finger at Cope's former chief whip, Mbhazima Shilowa, who was the party's accounting officer in Parliament.
He has since been suspended for allegedly misusing the party's funds in Parliament.
But Shilowa has pointed out that members of the rival Lekota faction also signed off the payments.
Shilowa has also called on Lekota to reveal how the R5million transferred to Cope's party fund was spent.
There has been allegations that part of the money was used to pay Lekota's salary.
Hawks spokesperson Vishnu Naidoo would not confirm the investigation.
Meanwhile, Cope sources have revealed that former Limpopo premier Sello Moloto will contest provincial party elections in Limpopo this weekend against pro-Lekota candidate Solly Mkhatshwa, and pro-Shilowa candidate Fatuwane Rolex Nemanashe.
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