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Leon demands 'Watergate' probe
26/03/2006 22:54 - (SA)
Deon de Lange , Die Burger
Cape Town - South Africa has its own Watergate, says Democratic Alliance leader Tony Leon, reacting to allegations that spies from the national intelligence agency planted listening devices in the party's parliamentary offices.
He was referring to the 1972 United States scandal that led to the resignation of president Richard Nixon.
Leon's comments came after revelations last week by Zolile Ngcakani, inspector-general of intellgence (IGI) that the "telephone conversations of 13 civilians were tapped without the necessary permission".
Although the IGI's report didn't reveal names, but only mentioned "senior members of the ruling party, the opposition, business people and state officials", the Sunday Independent reported that a number of big names were on the list.
The paper mentioned, among others, Cyril Ramaphosa, well-known businessman and former presidential candidate, Mbulelo Goniwe, the African National Congress's chief whip, and Smuts Ngonyama, the ANC's chief spokesperson.
Leon asks for probe
It was also alleged that this illegal bugging took place inside the DA's parliamentary office, as well.
Leon asked on Sunday in a letter to President Thabo Mbeki that a criminal investigation be launched.
"In view of the latest allegations, a comparison to Watergate would not be far-fetched," he wrote.
Leon said the present "comic opera" in the NIA was the direct result of the ANC's obsession with power and it's inability to separate the party from the state.
"Things are spiralling out of control.
"Only a senior judge, who is not compromised by formal or informal ties with the ANC, will be able to reveal the true facts and replace trust in the country's intelligence structures," stated the letter.
Smear campaign
Meanwhile, the ANC's national executive committee, after a meeting in Ekurhuleni on Sunday, said it was taking note of the IGI's report.
"The report showed that members of the committee mentioned in e-mails did not take part in a smear campaign.
"The committee confirms its support for those institutions who are in a position of oversight, and suggests that the national working committee create a mechanism to address the issue - where it concerns the ANC."
- Die Burger
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