Nkandla: Security Cluster must back off

The DA notes with concern the Security Cluster's statement this morning in which they request "further clarity" from the Public Protector with regards to her report into the over R246 million upgrades at President Jacob Zuma's private home in Nkandla. 

The Security Cluster must understand that the Public Protector is not accountable to the Executive but rather to Parliament and the Constitution. Adv Madonsela has fulfilled her obligations by reporting on the findings emanating from her investigation.

The matter should now be considered by Parliament, which is why I have from the outset requested the formation of a special ad hoc committee, in terms of Section 89, to consider the report and investigate the President.

The assertion made by the Cluster that "The next step is for the Office of the Public Protector to respond, after which we will be able to make a more informed decision on the way forward" makes it clear that they do not respect the findings of the Office of the Public Protector and are still scrambling to find a scapegoat for this gross abuse of public funds. 

The reality is that this thinly veiled threat by the Security Cluster is nothing more than a last-ditch attempt to protect President Zuma from being held accountable. 

The Security Cluster has had ample opportunity to make their submissions to the Public Protector in response to her report. In fact, they have abused this process by deliberately delaying the release of this report using a bogus court interdict that had no legal basis. Furthermore, Adv Madonsela has noted in her report that she often had to apply pressure on the ministers to cooperate and submit their responses timeously. 

To demand yet another opportunity for "clarification" in this regard is a desperate attempt to distract from the now imminent parliamentary process.

Indeed, it is now time for Parliament to take the matter up. We welcome the Speaker of the National Assembly, Max Sisulu's consideration and action on our request to do so - and we look forward to an official announcement in this regard.

In the meantime, the Security Cluster must back off, and let Parliament do its work. They are sailing dangerously close to violating the Constitution - and the DA will not tolerate this.

Statement issued by Lindiwe Mazibuko MP, Parliamentary Leader of the Democratic Alliance, April 8 2014

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