DA to seek clarity from Zuma over arms deal report

Reports today suggest that the final report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Strategic Defence Packages could be withheld from the public.

On 27 October 2011 Jeff Radebe, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, announced the terms of reference of the Commission of Inquiry into the arms deal. He said that appointing the Commission would "enable us collectively as a nation to reach closure".

The fact is that we will never reach closure on the arms deal if President Jacob Zuma does not make the final report or parts of the final report of the arms deal Commission of Inquiry public.

Section 15 of the Commission's regulations states that: "No person shall, except in so far as shall be necessary in the execution of the terms of reference of the Commission, publish or furnish any other person with the report or any interim report of the Commission".

The regulations, published in the Government Gazette on 08 February 2012, raise alarm bells because the final report or parts of the report of the Commission of Inquiry could be withheld from the public.

The Democratic Alliance will therefore submit a parliamentary question to President Jacob Zuma challenging him to provide an assurance that he will make the final report of the Commission of Inquiry into the arms deal public, regardless of the findings.

If the final report, or parts thereof, is not made public it will not only defeat the purpose of the Commission, but also defeat the ends of justice.

The public have a right to know the truth after more than a decade of covering up what could be the biggest corruption scandal in the history of South Africa.

Statement issued by David Maynier MP, DA Shadow Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, February 21 2012

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