Zuma slams MP 'witch-hunt'
2004-08-19 19:14
Donwald Pressly
Cape Town - Deputy president Jacob Zuma has condemned a witch-hunt against members of parliament claimed to be involved in the so-called "Travelgate" scam.
He was asked by Democratic Alliance MP Sydney Opperman in the national assembly on Thursday afternoon whether he could assure the house "that no member with the "Travelgate" cloud hanging around him will be allowed to carry the message of moral regeneration on behalf of this parliament".
He said: "I don't know why you want me to discuss this. I don't know. I am not participating in the investigation.
"I am a firm believer in the rule of law that a person is not guilty until he is found guilty by a court of law," said the deputy president, to cheers from the African National Congress benches.
The deputy president told MPs: "I will never participate in the campaign against people when they are not found guilty... if there is no evidence conclusively that says yes, they have erred."
Luxury accommodation
He emphasised that apparently errant MPs could not be dealt with "in a witch-hunt".
Parliament is to debate the issue of "Travelgate" next Tuesday after the alleged misuse of travel vouchers meant to be spent for air, rail and bus travel.
Vouchers have apparently been misused to pay for luxury accommodation, car hire, foreign exchange and expensive meals.
Meanwhile, United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa has asked speaker Baleka Mbete to provide his party with a copy of a forensic report prepared by auditing firm, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, about the scam.
It was inconceivable parliament could call a discussion on the matter "if the participating (political) parties do not have the facts to debate upon".
Democratic Alliance called for debate
He said a report on the actions by previous speaker Frene Ginwala on the "Travelgate" matter was also required for next week's debate.
The debate - set by the programme committee on Thursday - was sought by official opposition chief whip Douglas Gibson.
Reacting to the announcement that the debate would go ahead, the DA's Gibson said: "I am glad the speaker has acceded to the request for a debate.
"The only way to regain the confidence of the public is for parliament to be completely open about this scandal."
The names of 23 members of parliament, including 19 from the ANC, were handed to the speaker and the chairperson of the national council of provinces, Joyce Kgoali, last week.
The names are those of people being investigated by the Scorpions for alleged involvement in the travel-voucher scam.
- I-Net Bridge (News24)