STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER FOR JUSTICE AND CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT, DR PENUELL MADUNA, ON CONCERN AT CONDEMNATION OF REPORT ON INVESTIGATION INTO DEFENCE PACKAGES

19 November 2001

Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development

The Ministry for Justice and Constitutional Development, wishes to express its concern at the condemnations levelled at the three agencies, the Public Protector, National Director of Public Prosecution and the Auditor-General, for a report into the Arms Procurement, released to Parliament last week. While the Ministry respects the constitutional rights of people to criticise and to interrogate the report, it however views these criticisms as a serious indictment to the Constitution, which provides for the existence of these bodies. Indeed, it is mind bottling to see certain members of Parliament, people who are supposed to set a good example to their members, displaying an attitude of disrespect or lack of confidence towards these statutory bodies.

It would appear indeed that all these individuals are motivated by the whole misperception that everything worked upon by black people should not be trusted or accepted right away. Indeed, their criticisms in this regard smacks of racism. As a matter of fact, these are the very same individuals and parties, who earlier this year were advocating for the inclusion of the former head of the Special Investigating Unit, Advocate Willem Heath, into the investigations. It is publicly known that the heads of these three agencies are black. Now one wonders whether the report would have been acceptable to them or how they were going to react if Advocate Willem Heath was involved.

The Government has been transparent about this process to such an extent that it even ignored matters of national security. This was done in the interest of transparency and accountability. Some of these individuals claimed to be in position of names of people in Government who benefited directly from the deal, however they failed dismally up to date, to come forward.

The President reported to the country early this year on why the so-called Heath Unit could not be part of the investigations. However due to their own theory and agenda, they felt that was not enough and that Government had something to hide.

We still urge them in the interest of the administration of justice, to come forward with any information they may have around the acquisition process. Government has passed a law on Whistle Blowing and therefore, they do not have to disclose their identity.

The Ministry furthermore, appeals to these critics to either shut up or produce evidence of corruption into the arms acquisition which they seem to know about.

The Ministry wishes to reiterate that Government is committed to deal with any act of corruption no matter who the person is.

Contact: Paul Setsetse at 083 252 4774

Issued by: Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development, 19 November 2001