|
IASA - Arms Deal Inquiry cover-ups a waste |
| Publication |
Eyewitness News |
| Date | 2013-01-21 |
| Reporter |
Shain Gemaner |
| Web Link | www.ewn.co.za |
JOHANNESBURG - The Institute for
Accountability in Southern Africa at the
weekend said if allegations of misconduct
within the Arms Deal Commission of Inquiry
were true, its credibility would be
completely destroyed and the entire
investigation compromised.
The institute is demanding a point-for-point
rebuttal from commission head judge Willie
Seriti, on allegations revealed last week in
a letter from former head investigator
Norman Moabi.
A director of the institute, Paul Hoffman,
said unless a good explanation was provided,
the commission would lose all reliability
and Seriti would have to resign.
Hoffman said the commission had spent more
time on cover-ups than seeking out the
truth.
"It's been going on for too long (and) it's
been covered up in far too many ways.
"All of the energy that has been expended on
the cover-up could have been expended on
peace, progress and prosperity instead of
covering up corruption.
"It's just such a waste."
In his resignation letter, Moabi claimed the
commission was no longer going to be able to
meet its mandate on finding the truth over
the Arms Deal that cost South African tax
payers R70 billion.
He wrote: "I
came to the Commission to serve with
integrity, dignity and truthfulness. I
cannot with a clear conscience pretend to be
blind to what is going on at the
Commission.*1
"I am unable to be part of this
Commission since I have satisfied my self
that the Chairperson seem(s) to have other
ideas and modus operandi to achieve with the
Commission what is not the clear mandate of
the enabling Government Gazette."
Other allegations include Seriti's alleged
obsession with the control over the flow of
information in the investigation.
Seriti is
expected to address the issue further this
week.*2
With acknowledgement to Shain Gemaner and Eyewitness News.
*1
I cannot be blind as to what is going on at
the Commission.
*2