Oilgate: Public Protector should investigate her predecessor

The Democratic Alliance welcomes Public Protector Thuli Madonsela's announcement that she will be conducting a review of the Oilgate scandal as a result of the release of a letter sent by the late Sandi Majali to the ANC leadership weeks before he died. The letter confirmed that Mr Majali had, in fact, channelled public money into the ANC's coffers.

Whilst Adv. Madonsela has not committed to fully re-investigating the original complaint, she has said that she will "review" the case. This is a step in the right direction. The Oilgate scandal has been swept under the carpet for far too long.

What is needed is a thorough investigation that takes into account all the new evidence that has come to light. Just as important is an investigation into the role of Adv. Madonsela's predecessor, Adv. Mushwana, in covering up the Oilgate scandal.

The report Adv. Mushwana wrote in 2009 was rubbished by the North Gauteng High Court for being a whitewash and was set aside. If Adv. Mushwana abused the Office of the Public Protector to protect the ANC, this should be exposed and he should face the consequences. In 2009, the parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Accounts also squashed a damning report which painted a picture of corruption and abuse of public funds by the ANC. 

The South African public deserves to know the whole truth behind the Oilgate scandal and, if wrongdoing is found to have occurred, the guilty parties must be held accountable.

Statement issued by Lindiwe Mazibuko MP, DA National Spokesperson, September 20 2011

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