PAUL NGOBENI'S OPEN LETTER TO MINISTER TREVOR MANUEL

The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Ms Lindiwe Sisulu noted an open letter published in the Sunday Independent, March 6, 2011 and other newspapers written by Mr Paul Ngobeni who is a legal advisor to Minister (see here).

Following the publication of the letter, the Minister initiated an internal investigation and also received an apology from Mr Ngobeni indicating he had written in his personal capacity expressing his personal views and have never intended that the Minister's office should be drawn into the matter.

He also extended his apology for the embarrassment the letter may have caused to the President of the Republic, President Jacob Zuma and the Minister.

The Minister and the Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans would want to confirm that they are not part of this public letter and have never been consulted or informed of the letters.  The Minister distances herself from the open letter and all its content.

The Minister has since suspended Mr Paul Ngobeni from all duties with full pay for a period of thirty days and also requested him to submit written reasons why he should not be released from his duties as the legal advisor to the Minister.

Statement issued by Ndivhuwo Mabaya, Head of Media Services, Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans, March 14 2011

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