We support the growing campaign urging President Kgalema Motlanthe to establish an independent commission of inquiry into the arms deal.

Jacob Zuma’s ANC was quick to use Judge Chris Nicholson’s September 12 judgment to “recall” Thabo Mbeki from the presidency. That same judgement says of arms deal speculation: “Only a commission of inquiry can properly rid our land of this cancer that is devouring the body politic and the reputation for integrity built up so assiduously after the fall of apartheid. If the allegations made by Ms (Patricia) de Lille and a group of courageous journalists are true then there is no better reason for a commission to probe this corruption.

“If their allegations are not true then the political leaders of our society should not be permitted to be defamed and slandered in this shameless and despicable way. If they are innocent they should not be required to resort to the ordinary courts to defend their good names and reputations. The public purse should fund a commission of enquiry so that they can govern in peace and tranquillity and not under an ever present cloud of suspicion and scandal.

“There is unimpeachable authority for this ...”

The Democratic Alliance and De Lille’s Independent Democrats took up the call. Last month it was echoed at a Social Justice Coalition protest in Cape Town.

Now Nobel laureates Archbishop Desmond Tutu and FW de Klerk have jointly petitioned Motlanthe to get such a probe under way.

The arms deal won’t go away. Last week’s raids by the Scorpions show there is much that remains unanswered.

Motlanthe can do the country a great service by starting a process that will clear this mess once and for all. Just do it.

With acknowledgements to The Citizen.