DA calls for arms deal probe
2008-09-15 14:07
Cape Town - The Democratic Alliance submitted a motion to Parliament on Monday calling for a debate on the establishment of a commission of inquiry into the arms deal.
DA Parliamentary leader Sandra Botha said the party's decision followed last week's Pietermaritzburg High Court judgment on African National Congress President Jacob Zuma.
Judge Chris Nicholson ruled that it was desirable for a commission of inquiry to be set up to probe the arms deal.
Botha urged the House to call on "President Thabo Mbeki to appoint an independent commission of inquiry, headed by a retired judge, to investigate whether any abuse of power, and/or corruption, and/or any other irregularities occurred in the execution of the arms deal".
"Our decision to move this motion arises from statements made by Judge Nicholson... in which he stated, amongst other things, [that] it would be naïve to suggest that the allegations concerning corruption relating to the arms deal have ceased or diminished in intensity," Botha said.
The Independent Democrats (ID) also called for the establishment of a commission of inquiry.
- SAPA