Lekota to face public protector

2003-06-01 15:13

Johannesburg - The public protector, Lawrence Mushwana, will convene a committee on Monday chaired by a senior official to investigate the affairs of Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota, who was found guilty of contravening Parliament's code of conduct.

Spokesperson for the public protector, Nicolette Teichman, said on Sunday the investigation was being held at the request of Democratic Alliance MP Douglas Gibson.

"The public protector is obliged to give attention to any such request no matter who it is from and the investigator will have full powers of search and seizure."

The probe may be held under the Executive Members Ethics Act and then be completed within 30 days when a report would be passed to President Thabo Mbeki for a decision.

"Otherwise it may be held under the Public Protector's Act which is a much longer procedure and at the end of it we would publish findings and recommendations," Teichman said.

The defence minister, who is also chairman of the African National Congress, contravened Parliament's code of conduct when he failed to declare his interests in a petroleum distribution company, a wine cellar, and properties in Bloemfontein and Durban.

On Friday he was reprimanded by the National Assembly and fined a week's salary. He also faces an ANC disciplinary inquiry.

- SAPA