Ngobeni suspension: DA welcomes Minister Sisulu's decision

The Democratic Alliance welcomes the decision by the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Lindiwe Sisulu, to suspend her legal advisor, Paul Ngobeni.

The Minister took the decision to suspend Mr Ngobeni following the publication of an open letter attacking the Minister of Planning, Trevor Manual, on 6 March 2011, which risked dragging her into the so-called "race war" triggered by Jimmy Manyi.

The fact is that Mr Ngobeni has been a political ball-and-chain for the Minister since he was appointed. He is reportedly a fugitive from justice in the United States and is being investigated by the Public Protector.

The DA hopes that, following the internal investigation, the Minister will do the right thing and fire Mr Ngobeni, who is a political liability for the Department.

Statement issued by David Maynier MP, DA Shadow Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, March 14 2011

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