Guptagate: President Zuma once again evades accountability
During Questions to the President in Parliament today, President Jacob Zuma had an opportunity to answer pertinent questions on critical issues relating to his office.
When asked how it is that he did not know about the landing of the Gupta family at Waterkloof Airforce Base, even though his own cabinet ministers were aware and his name keeps coming up in statements made under oath by high ranking officials - he responded with complete disregard for the seriousness of the issue.
He stated ‘I can't answer for some official, in some tribunal, it's not my business.' This is a bizarre statement given that a family with close ties to the President - a fact he has admitted in Parliament - broke a number of laws, landed a private plane with over 200 guests on-board and used his name to do so.
Furthermore, a parliamentary reply received by the DA yesterday indicates that of the 4 cases that are open in relation to this scandal, 2 have been dropped due to insufficient evidence and 1 has been delayed with no with no reason given. With only one on-going investigation into the Guptagate scandal, it is clear that once again, President Zuma and his cabinet Ministers will not account for this gross abuse of power.
President Zuma cannot continue avoiding responsibility for the scandals that keep unfolding under his watch. He "knew nothing" about the R200 million of public money spent upgrading his home and he now "knows nothing" about his friends using his name to abuse state resources for a wedding. We look forward to receiving the Public Protector's report into this matter and ensuring that those who are responsible are held to account.
Statement issued by Lindiwe Mazibuko MP, DA Parliamentary Leader, November 6 2013
President Jacob Zuma's prepared answer to question in National Assembly, November 6 2013
14. The Leader of the Opposition (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:
Whether, prior to the landing of the Jet Airways Airbus A330-200 at the Air Force Base Waterkloof on 30 April 2013, he had any involvement in, knowledge of or communication related to the landing of the aircraft?
Reply:
Honourable Member, No, I had no prior knowledge, involvement or communication relating to the landing of a private plane at Air Force Base (AFB) Waterkloof.
The President is neither directly nor indirectly involved in the authorisation of civilian aircraft landing at airbases like AFB Waterkloof.
Issued by the Presidency, November 6 2013
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