Law must take its course - ANC

2004-08-04 13:34

Cape Town - African National Congress Chief Whip Mbulelo Goniwe on Wednesday urged the media to report with "responsibility and restraint" on the parliamentary travel voucher fraud.

The ANC parliamentary caucus was following the investigation into the alleged abuse of parliamentary travel vouchers with interest, he said.

"We reiterate our commitment to the principles of good, open, and transparent governance and the rule of law, including the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty."

The ANC hoped the investigation into possible criminal activity was conducted thoroughly and speedily. The law had to take its course, Goniwe said.

"We are concerned that further delays in the investigation, the leaking of information, and irresponsible reporting of such information, risks tarnishing the reputation of... parliament as an institution."

On Tuesday, the Democratic Alliance promised swift action against any of its members confirmed by the National Prosecuting Authority to be implicated in the scam.

DA Chief Whip Douglas Gibson said the DA would suspend any MP who was charged criminally, and would terminate the membership of parliament of any person convicted of corruption, theft or fraud.

Media reports that 135 MPs from all parties were involved were alarming, and, if true, would be the biggest scandal to hit any democratic parliament anywhere in the world, Gibson said.

Seven Cape Town travel agents have been arrested in connection with the scam involving over R12.5m.

The scheme allegedly involved conspiring to have MPs' travel vouchers, valid only for air trips, "extended" to cover additional costs such as car hire, hotel accommodation and flights never undertaken.

National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete is studying an interim forensic report on the matter, and is scheduled to address a press conference at parliament on Thursday.

- SAPA