Speaker tries to halt all further investigation into millions stolen by Members of Parliament: DA launches PAIA application
A notice in the Government Gazette (included below) of 9th May states that liquidators have been directed to cease all litigation against Members of Parliament implicated in travel voucher fraud. In the context of more and more South Africans struggling to survive on limited incomes, the prospect of Parliament simply washing its hands of any further action against individuals who have stolen millions from South Africa's coffers is abhorrent.
The DA will be writing to the Speaker to request an explanation as to why, when the Travelgate scandal has had such a profound effect on public trust in MPs and the integrity of public institutions like Parliament, the decision has been made to stop any further investigations into corruption on the part of members of parliament.
We have also, in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act, submitted applications for the following:
- The Liquidators' Report detailing the individuals that the liquidators have acted against, the amount claimed and a schedule of repayments received in respect of each individual;
- The full list of individuals implicated and the amount repaid by each individual so far; and
- Any audits or reports by auditors and/or by the Scorpions or other information available from the liquidators of the travel agencies concerned regarding evidence available against Travelgate accused.
The travel voucher scandal involved the misappropriation of many millions of rands of the public's money - intended for proper functioning of South Africa's Parliament - by a number of highly placed politicians. Yet despite the enormous public attention given to this matter, there is still a great deal of information about it that remains hidden from the public eye. The Government Gazette announcement indicates that the Speaker wishes to now put a stop to any further questioning. This cannot be allowed to happen.
Statement issued by Democratic Alliance Chief Whip, Ian Davidson MP, May 13 2008
