DA calls for briefings on Mpumalanga hit list saga

Amid the myriad substantial problems we are trying to tackle everyday, South Africans have recently been confronted by the revelation that the string of political killings in Mpumalanga over the past ten years was the apparent consequence of a predetermined agenda to murder those people who posed a political threat. That is, they were supposedly assassinated; killed for not belonging to the right faction of the ruling party. That assassination is now an issue that has crept into our political discourse and current affairs, says much about the state of the ruling party; more still about its commitment to our democracy and the most basic principles and values contained in our constitution.

It is reasonable to expect that a revelation such as this would be met by a sense of outrage on the part of the ANC and, at the very least, a profound and fundamental condemnation from the executive; even the President. And it is reasonable to expect that this kind of allegation be met with comprehensive and decisive action: a thorough and immediate investigation into the facts. And yet it has been left to unfold in a moral vacuum. The President has said nothing, in his capacity as head of state or as the head of the ANC. The Minister of Police has watched on from the sidelines. And the Mpumalanga administration itself seems unable or unwilling to act or lead on the matter.

This is not how accountability works. Certainly it is not how the rule of law is upheld or promoted. And, in an environment where the nation's ‘moral character' is being called into question, it is not how an elected government should behave. The government's response has been nothing short of appalling.

This silence must now be broken. A good place to start, is for the National Police Commissioner to take the country into his confidence and give monthly public briefings on its investigation into the Mpumalanga "hit list". This is a matter that goes to the heart of our democracy. It should be given the requisite importance. Amongst other things, the following questions need to be answered:

The DA wants to know what is going on in Mpumalanga:

• Who has been implicated in this saga?
• What are the details of the Hawks investigations?
• How many detectives have been allocated to this matter?
• Why was a crucial link in this case, controversial Mpumalanga politician James Nkambule, arrested before he could deliver the alleged assassin?
• Whether the police are protecting those that are still alive and on the ‘list' and whether whistle blowers are receiving adequate protection?
• Why is the Premier of Mpumalanga, David Mabuza, still in office when he has allegedly failed to investigate glaring tender irregularities on his watch?

President Zuma too, needs to break his silence.

Since 1998, there have been eight murders, one disappearance and two attempted assassinations of politicians in Mpumalanga for reasons seemingly related to whistle-blowing and irregular tenders. 

On 3 February of this year, in response to a DA provincial legislature question, the MEC for Community Safety Sibongile Manana stated that, "The MEC is aware of the rumour about the Hit list...however she doesn't have the list at her disposal" and appealed to the public to bring forth any information. However, on the 5 February, Ms Manana's office "received a fax from a local internet shop in Nelspruit. The fax had a list of ten individuals who were allegedly targeted for assassination." What has been done about it to date? Seemingly very little.

The Mpumalanga administration is so riddled with criminal antics, motivated by nothing other than financial gain, that even the ANC Youth League in the Province has called for a ban on politicians having business interests with the state saying, "already we've had too many assassinations... the reasons behind the killings are nothing else but tenders".

A leading Sunday publication's editorial last week read, "The Mpumalanga murders must receive the attention of the nation's political leaders - before a culture of political assassination becomes entrenched..." They say a picture is worth a thousand words; one could write a thesis on that sentiment alone and what it says about the state of our democracy. The government needs to show it regards this matter and its resolution as an absolute priority. And the executive needs to lead this process. 

Statement issued by Debbie Schafer, MP, Democratic Alliance deputy shadow minister of police, March 30 2010

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