Question for written reply
Question No. 507
Date published: 20 March 2008
Date submitted: 6 August 2008

Mr E W Trent (DA) to ask the Minister President of the Republic: Whether, in light of the fact that there is a German-led investigation into allegations of corruption associated with the strategic defence procurement package, he will consider appointing a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate these and other related allegations; if not, why not; if so, when? NW1149E

President Thabo Mbeki: The Hon member will know that the prosecutor in Dusseldorf has unreservedly dropped this inquiry.

It should be pointed out that, as detailed in a statement by the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, the South Africa Government was committed to giving what assistance it could to the German authorities when they were conducting these investigations into alleged irregularities relating to the Strategic Defence Procurement.

The Department, after corresponding with the prosecutor's office, was awaiting further details from the German authorities, for instance concerning the names of alleged suspects and what assistance might be required, when the investigation was dropped.

It has been made clear throughout that, should the outcome of the German - or indeed any other - investigation provide evidence of wrong-doing by anyone within the jurisdiction of South African law, the matter will be followed up by relevant South African law enforcement agencies. This would be the correct and effective course of action to take.

There has been a thorough investigation by the Joint Investigation Team and whilst many claims have been made challenging its findings, none has been such as to undermine the integrity of the investigation or the substance of its findings concerning the South African Government's role in this matter.

Allegations of misconduct by individuals have been followed up within the framework of the criminal justice system, and that will continue to be the course to follow should any further investigation provide new evidence.

Given that there has already been a thorough investigation of the matter in South Africa; and given that the full resources of our criminal justice system are available to deal with any evidence that any individual has broken the law, government is of the view that there is no need for a judicial inquiry.

Mr E W Trent (DA) to ask the President of the Republic: Whether, during the investigations conducted by (a) the Joint Investigating Team (JIT) and/or (b) any investigations of any nature that took place subsequent to the JIT report, he was approached by (i) the Scorpions or (ii) any other local or international investigating agency for (aa) advice, (bb) assistance or (cc) to testify; if so, in each case, (aaa) how many times was he approached and (bbb) what was his response? NW1150E

President Thabo Mbeki: Besides the reports and briefings that the President receives as Head of State and of Government on matters pertaining to the security of the Republic, or queries during the JIT investigation relating to the functioning of the IDP Cabinet Committee that he chaired as Deputy President, the President has not been approached by any investigation agency in the manner described by the Honourable Member.

The Leader of the Opposition to ask the President of the Republic: Whether he, then the Deputy President, met with a certain company (name furnished) in 1998, as asserted by the former ambassador to France, Ms Barbara Masekela, earlier this year; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details: NW 1148E

President Thabo Mbeki: As previously stated, the President has no recollection of the meeting. My office has investigated the matter thoroughly and ascertained from the former Ambassador and the Minister in The Presidency that indeed such a meeting was requested. Neither the Minister's office nor Ambassador Masekela nor the French Embassy - nor indeed any available diary notes - has any information about the nature of such a meeting. Ambassador Masekela did not attend such a meeting.

One can only conclude that (if it did take place) it was a courtesy meeting of the kind that occurs frequently and routinely during the course of foreign visits by members of the Government without significant substance. It is axiomatically obvious that the President would have vivid knowledge of a meeting if it were of such great importance, as alleged by the opposition. Whether this will satisfy the Leader of the Opposition or not is up to her; but we cannot embellish the truth with speculation and conjecture simply to satisfy the opposition.

Statement issued by The Presidency August 6 2008