Personal Explanation in House today

Explanation

I want to thank the Speaker and Deputy Speaker for agreeing to give me a chance to make this explanation (see Cape Times report).

Last week in the House I unequivocally rejected the allegations made in affidavits that have been distributed by Hon MEC Plato to various parties, including the press, that alleged that myself, Deputy Minister Fransman and General Veary are involved in gun and drug running.

On Tuesday the Provincial Director of Public Prosecutions released a statement saying,

"The Public Protector had referred certain allegations to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation that she had received from Minister Plato, the MEC for Community Safety in the Western Cape Government. The DPCI then conducted the enquiry and referred the file to the DPP....The source of the allegations is a witness who lacks credibility and whose version is unable to be corroborated in any respect. The DPP considers that the enquiry contains insufficient evidence to suggest that he should take any further steps and he has declined to do so."

I am glad to be vindicated on this matter.

However I remain concerned about the role of the MEC in this matter. My concerns are,

1. The MEC has told the house and the press that he received the affidavits by registered post. When did he receive it and did he see the affidavit before that date? Did the the MEC play a role in creating these affidavits. Has the MEC met with the signatory of these false affidavits, a self confessed gangster called Wyngaardt?

2. What steps did MEC Plato take to verify the allegations and the person making them, before he distributed them to various forces. Did he know that the source is, as the DPP says, "a witness who lacks credibility."

3. What was the role of the Premier and the Provincial Cabinet in this matter? Has the Premier and cabinet discussed these matters with the MECand do they approve of his actions? Where any other MECs involved in this conspiracy?

4. The effect of these actions by the MEC on fighting crime in the province. For an MEC to made a false attack on a senior police office such as General Veary can only undermine the confidence of the people in the police.

5. What is the link between the MEC and the provincial government with Projects Abroad Human Rights Office and First Community Resource Center? What role did these NGOs play in this matter?

5. What action will the Premier Zille take against MEC Plato now that these allegations have been shown to be false.

Given the damage he has done to crime fighting in the province he should be dismissed immediately.

Max Ozinsky

Statement issued by ANC Western Cape MPP, Max Ozinsky, August 1 2013

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