We have heard a lot of tough talk on corruption over the past few days, but will we ever see action?
It all began with President Cyril Ramaphosa expressing concern over the looting of Covid-19 social relief funds, on Thursday.
He said he had signed a proclamation for the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to probe the criminal elements.
"If the SIU finds evidence that a criminal offence has been committed, it is obliged to refer such evidence to the National Prosecuting Authority," he said.
Ramaphosa concluded by saying he would be getting progress reports on investigations every six weeks.
On Sunday, finance minister Tito Mboweni took to social media to declare that it was time to "deal with thieves decisively".
"It is time that leadership led without fear, favour or prejudice. Watch the space," he said.
"A tender is an ethical contract. It is not a blank cheque to deceive and steal. And stealing from unwell people! During a Covid-19 pandemic! Please people. What kind of people are these criminals?!"
This kind of talk should be commended, but instead we are waiting anxiously to see if anyone will be held criminally accountable for the misuse and theft of funds meant for the poor.
The SIU has carried out numerous investigations over the years and submitted reports to the presidency, and also recovered hundreds of millions of rands for the state.
Well done to them, but we are yet to see any convictions and looters being sent to prison as a result of their probes.
We have been here before, and heard all the tough talk but nothing happened, instead corruption thrived and the state continues to lose more billions of rand year in and year out.
Why would anyone expect the public to have confidence in the government's willingness to root out corruption now?
What is different this time?
Is the governing ANC now willing to encourage the arrest and shaming of thieves within its ranks?
We await the action that should follow the SIU investigations on the Covid-19 funds with bated breath. We hope we are wrong for being sceptical, and that justice will prevail this time.
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