DA requests A-G investigation of Guptas' use of public resources
It has been reported that the Guptas' wedding guests were flown into Waterkloof Air Force Base this morning and then escorted by a blue-light South African Police Service (SAPS) VIP convoy to Sun City. Waterkloof Air Force Air base and SAPS's VIP unit are meant for the use of dignitaries on official business or for an official government event. The Guptas' family wedding is neither official business nor an official government event.
This is a clear abuse of state resources.
The Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa and other government departments responsible for allowing the Guptas free reign of public resources must be held accountable. Funding that could be used to deliver services to those that desperately need state assistance should not be used to roll out the red carpet for those friendly to the government.
I am writing today to the Auditor-General, Terrence Nombembe, requesting that he investigate the abuse of public resources for the benefit of the Guptas.
I will also submit parliamentary questions to the Ministers of Defence, Police and Home Affairs and they must answer the following:
- Who authorised the use of Waterkloof Air Base and SAPS's VIP unit;
- Whether the Guptas' guests went through customs; and
- How much the use of public resources will cost the public.
Other than an ‘I rub your back, you rub mine' motive, there is absolutely no justifiable reason why the Guptas should have been afforded the use of state resources for their family wedding. They should have made use of Lanseria Airport or OR Tambo International and paid for their own private security.
This incident shows much how much influence the Gupta family has over government. Public resources for pals has become the order of the day. The DA will not allow this to happen. We will get to the bottom of this flagrant abuse of resources.
Statement issued by Dianne Kohler Barnard MP, DA Shadow Minister of Police, April 30 2013
Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter
