ANC's plan to delegitimise Nkandla report taking shape
Reports today that disgraced former Police Commissioner, Bheki Cele, is delaying the release of the Nkandlagate Report is the most recent indication of a clear plan by Zuma's ANC to undermine the Public Protector's investigation and delegitimise its findings ahead of its release.
Indeed, while ANC Secretary General, Gwede Mantashe, "urges" the speedy release of the report, his deployees in government, and now senior ANC members, have actively sought to delay the process.
If Mr Mantashe was so serious about ensuring the urgent release of the report, he would intervene in these numerous attempts to delay it. But he won't - because this forked tongue approach is part of a multi-pronged strategy to protect President Zuma from answering for this scandal and to prevent the report from featuring prominently ahead of the elections.
South Africans will see trough this ruse. They will remember that it was the Ministers in the Security Cluster who tried to prevent the investigation from seeing the light of day. They will also remember the numerous attempts - including a failed court interdict - to prevent its release. And they will remember that Mr Mantashe was silent on this major corruption scandal for almost the entire duration of the investigation.
I trust that the Public Protector, Adv Thuli Madonsela, who holds an important office in terms of our Constitution, continues to resist these bullying attempts.
It is however becoming clear that the finalisation of this investigation is now essential so that these under-handed attempts to thwart the process can be brought to an end. I am confident that Adv Madonsela continues to do everything possible to ensure it is released speedily.
As the complainant in this case, the DA remains resolute in ensuring that the report is made public and all those responsible - including those at the very top - are held accountable.
We will do everything possible to ensure that this happens.
Statement issued by Lindiwe Mazibuko MP, DA Parliamentary Leader, February 2 2014
Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter
