Nkandla: DA wants clarity from SIU Head over last minute website change

The suspicious last minute changing of the SIU website regarding the status of its Nkandla investigation from ‘completed' back to ‘ongoing' barely two hours after the presidency press statement, and subsequent confirmation from SIU that its investigation will only be completed at the end of May, confirms that President Zuma's delaying tactics are aimed at delaying accountability until after the elections.

I will write to the head of the SIU, Mr Vasantrai Soni, to request an urgent explanation as to why the status of the investigation was suddenly changed on their website just moments after the Presidency announced it would wait for the SIU investigation before providing a full-response to Parliament. I will also request a full update on the investigation.

However, I am confident that this delaying strategy shamelessly being used by President Zuma will not work because Parliament does not need to wait for the SIU investigation to initiate impeachment proceedings against the President. I therefore have every expectation that an ad hoc committee, which will be given effect to by my motion to remove President Zuma, will still be appointed this month.

It is now up to Parliament to compel President Zuma to answer for his part in the Nkandla scandal. The DA intends to make sure that this happens - sooner, rather than later.

Statement issued by Lindiwe Mazibuko MP, Parliamentary Leader of the Democratic Alliance, April 2 2014

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