DA welcomes Scopa decision

2008-10-09 14:22

Cape Town - The Democratic Alliance had welcomed Parliament's public accounts committee (Scopa) decision to put the arms deal back on the agenda.

"After many requests from the DA to do so, Scopa has finally agreed to take the matter further at a committee meeting later this month," DA spokesperson Eddie Trent said on Thursday.

The DA had already informed Scopa that it wanted to call a number of people, ranging from former committee members to the National Prosecuting Authority, to give testimony on the subject of "corruption and the arms deal".

"Scopa has dragged its heels on the matter of the arms deal and has made no progress since its February 2008 decision to accept the spirit of the DA's suggestion to investigate the matter further," he said.

The lack of progress on Scopa's part was directly linked to the ambivalence surrounding future ANC leadership.

"Unsure of which ANC faction is going to be in power next year, I believe that certain members of the ANC component are dragging their heels rather than taking decisive action on the arms deal, and thus running the risk of making enemies," Trent said.

- SAPA