Only fishy thing about Spy Tapes saga is Zuma's attempt at secrecy

09 September 2014

The DA is pleased that the ANC welcomes the release of the Spy Tapes to us after what they called our five year long "fishing expedition". 

There was something fishy about the President's prolonged and desperate attempts at making the Spy Tapes disappear along with the 783 charges against him from the start of this saga five years ago.

The DA has sought to obtain the answers that the public deserve on the decision to discontinue prosecution in one of South Africa's most controversial corruption cases to date.

It is unfortunate, however, that the ANC-led government, and President Zuma in particular, have used every legal tool conceivable to delay the release of the Spy Tapes in an attempt to sweep all questions under the carpet under a blanket claim of "confidentiality".

It is an absolute outrage that President Zuma has, over the last five years, used taxpayers money to bankroll the disappearance of these Spy Tapes that his legal counsel have conceded contain nothing that warranted the dropping of the almost 800 charges of corruption lodged against him.

If the ANC and President Zuma were really as keen to put this matter to bed as they claim, South Africans would have heard first-hand the contents of the Spy Tapes five years ago when the President's legal counsel revealed them.

It is increasingly difficult for the ANC to keep their "Big Fish" off the hook as all indications point to the fact that President Jacob Zuma is an increasing liability for the governing party. 

The DA remains confident that the contents of the Spy Tapes justify a review application of the decision to withdraw charges of corruption against President Zuma.

Statement issued by Marius Redelinghuys MP, DA National Spokesperson, September 9 2014

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