Presidency silent on Boesak
2005-01-17 21:44
Jan-Jan Joubert and Liezel de Lange
Cape Town - The presidency has decided not to reveal reasons for cleric Allan Boesak's pardon - as the law does not demand this.
Boesak, who was found guilty and sentenced to imprisonment for theft of donor money and fraud, was given a presidential pardon at the weekend.
Bheki Khumalo, presidential spokesperson, said legal advisors had decided on Monday not to release reasons for the pardon.
He said the president did not have to give reasons for the decision because it was his prerogative.
"To give reasons is in contradiction with convention.
"The decision concerning a pardon is often complicated. To explain it would set an unfortunate precedent.
"One could compare it to the president having to provide reasons for his choice of cabinet."
Khumalo denied claims that Boesak was pardoned because of his African National Congress ties.
"The president has granted more than 700 pardons since 2000. Now there is one with ANC ties and people claim this is the reason. It is nonsense."
Despite Khumalo's statement, opposition parties on Monday continued to question the pardon.
- Beeld