DA's last call for answers

2003-07-22 15:40

Cape Town - The Democratic Alliance has given President Thabo Mbeki's office "a final opportunity" to provide documentation on a controversial Nigerian oil deal, DA minerals and energy spokesperson Ian Davidson said on Tuesday.

The request, lodged at the beginning of June under the Promotion of Access to Information Act, was for access to all documents relating to the multi-million rand deal.

It followed a news report that a lucrative oil contract meant for South Africa, and secured with Mbeki's help in 1999, was diverted to an offshore company with no benefit to this country.

Under the Act, the presidency had 30 days to decide whether to grant the request and notify the DA of its decision.

Section 26 of the legislation allows the presidency to extend the 30 days for another 30 if any consultation needed to decide on granting the request "cannot reasonably be completed within the original period".

However, if it did opt for the extension, it was obliged to notify the DA as soon as possible "but in any event within 30 days" of this fact, with reasons.

On Tuesday, Davidson said he had written to the information officer and the director-general in the presidency to "offer a final opportunity to comply with the requirements" of the Act.

Release of the presidency's correspondence on the oil deal was vital if the government wanted to clear its name, he said.

In his letter, Davidson said receipt of his request was acknowledged in writing, and was also confirmed telephonically.

"However, I am deeply concerned that - nearly three weeks after the 30-day deadline expired, on 3 July 2003 - I have still not been furnished with the information I requested.

"I am sure that this is merely an oversight on your part, and that the presidency would never intentionally disregard its responsibilities in terms of the Act.

"However, considering that the extended deadline of 60 days is fast approaching, we respectfully request that you give this matter your urgent attention," Davidson said.

When the initial report on the oil deal emerged, the government said the allegations were "ridiculous as they are devoid of any truth".

"There is nothing sinister about the deal because it was done as part of building bilateral economic relations between South Africa and Nigeria," the Government Communications and Information Systems (GCIS) said.

- SAPA