Claims of political meddling

2003-08-17 15:39

Johannesburg - If ANC stalwart Cyril Ramaphosa had intervened in the Scorpions' investigation of Deputy President Jacob Zuma and former transport minister Mac Maharaj this amounted to "political interference," the New National Party and the Democratic Alliance charged on Sunday.

According to the Sunday Times, Ramaphosa was expected to meet Scorpions boss Bulelani Ngcuka on Sunday to open discussions on a possible plea bargain for Zuma, his financial adviser Schabir Shaik and his ex-colleague Maharaj.

Zuma is accused of trying to solicit a bribe of R500 000 from Thomson CSF/Thales - a company that benefited from SA's multibillion arms deal - while Maharaj is alleged to have received payments and gifts from Shaik's company Nkobi Holdings.

NNP

NNP MP Carol Johnson said Ramaphosa had no jurisdiction to mediate between the Scorpions and the three men, and had no legislative or legal authority whatsoever to plea bargain on their or anyone else's behalf.

"The Scorpions should be left alone to complete the investigation without fear of interference or mediation attempts from any outside party. There is a legal maxim which says that "justice must not only be done, but must manifestly be seen to be done". This is what the NNP is asking for in this case.

"A closed door mediation process will seriously harm the principles of independence and objectivity, under which the Scorpions should operate - and plea-bargaining of this nature will ultimately cast doubt over the credibility and legitimacy of the investigation.

"We cannot have our deputy president and a former minister with a cloud of suspicion hanging over their heads forever," Johnson said.

According to The Sunday Times, the proposed deal with Maharaj revolved around ensuring that no criminal charges were brought against him, but that his wife Zarina could face a number of charges relating to her company.

The paper said the deal could possibly further involve the charges against Zuma being dropped and Shaik pleading guilty to negotiated charges. Both Ramaphosa and Scorpions spokesperson Sipho Ngwema confirmed the meeting.

DA

Meanwhile DA spokesperson Hendrik Schmidt said Ramaphosa's reported attempt on behalf of the ANC to plea bargain with the Scorpions chief was the most inappropriate political interference with the prosecuting authority ever seen in South Africa.

"This action by the ANC is a clear attempt to interfere with the independence of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). The NPA, which includes the Scorpions, has a constitutional obligation to remain totally independent of the ruling party and its whims.

"It is mind-boggling that the appointment between Ngcuka and Ramaphosa has even been confirmed by Ngcuka's spokesperson, as such a meeting should not occur at all. What is there to discuss?

"Either Ramaphosa is being delegated to bring Ngcuka into line with regard to ANC interests relating to these issues, an unconstitutional step by itself, or this is an attempt to save the ANC from further humiliation and damage following from the alleged misconduct of some of it's most senior members," Schmidt said.

He said the interference in a criminal investigation of this calibre was unconscionable and that President Thabo Mbeki needed to intervene. If his "underlings" did not understand how to conduct themselves in a democracy, he needed to explain it to them, Schmidt said.

- SAPA