PRETORIA - Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has dismissed calls to disband the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC).
She said such calls are without foundation and cannot be supported.
The country’s key anti-corruption unit has been under intense scrutiny in recent weeks.
This comes as the Madlanga Commission continues to hear evidence exposing serious concerns about officials allegedly overstepping the unit’s mandate.
Senior officials are at the centre of these allegations.
READ | IDAC treads with ‘caution’ in search for Andrea Johnson replacement
Kubayi said the unit continues to play a vital role in the fight against corruption and should not be judged by the actions of individuals found to have acted outside its mandate.
“Those who are making these calls must disabuse themselves of the tendency to reduce institutions to individuals.
"Individuals come and go, but institutions remain, and we must defend and protect institutions because they are formed to fulfil a societal need rather than the agendas of individuals.”
The minister affirmed that those found to have misused their powers or violated their oath of office will be held accountable.
“What has also come to light is that there are individuals who deliberately deviated from established norms and standards, deviated from written standard operating procedures to achieve their own ends within IDAC.
"It is accountability mechanisms that we must strengthen in institutions so that there is no impunity and rogue elements can be decisively dealt with,” she said.