The IFP contends that recent developments around South Africa's controversial arms deal, which has seen President Kgalema Motlanthe reject renewed calls for the Presidency to establish a commission of inquiry into the arms deal, has finally rendered the ANC morally corrupt.

"We conclude that the on-going saga around the arms deal has served only one purpose: it has exposed the ANC as an organisation that has lost its moral compass and that it can no longer be entrusted with the vote of the South African electorate," said Velaphi Ndlovu, the IFP's Safety and Security Spokesperson.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu and former president FW de Klerk had written to Motlanthe requesting he establish an independent commission to probe the arms deal, a call which the IFP fully endorsed.

"President Motlanthe's decision not to set up such an enquiry unfortunately is confirmation that he is not acting as the President of the country in the best interest of South Africa, but in fact he is acting as the Deputy President of the ANC in the best interest of the ruling party," said Ndlovu.

The IFP believes that in the interest of democracy and transparency the serious allegations that the arms deal had funded the ANC's 1999 election campaign and that senior ANC members received millions in cut-backs should have been probed years go.

"By wasting billions on weapons our government spent more on their military white elephants this year than they did on social development or health. This is a matter that goes to the heart of our democracy and the ANC's unwillingness to allow a transparent investigation process is clear proof that power corrupts," concluded Ndlovu.

Contact: Velaphi Ndlovu, 083 625 0803
16 December 2008.

With acknowledgements to Velaphi Ndlovu and Sapa.