Cabinet has reiterated its commitment to the principle of equality before the law, one of the basic tenets entrenched in the country's constitution.

In a statement issued after its meeting yesterday, Cabinet said it noted recent media discourse on the issue of high-profile investigations by the National Directorate of Public Prosecutions (NDPP).

The Cabinet added it reaffirmed the approach outlined by President Thabo Mbeki on this matter during a media briefing on July 29 this year following the Cabinet Lekgotla.

“In essence government wishes to reiterate its recognition of the principle of equality of all before the law and that it has not in the past interfered, and will not interfere in investigations by security agencies,” said the statement.

It said government was 'also of the firm view that all investigations should be handled in a professional manner' and added that 'conduct that may result in a “trial-by-media” should be avoided”.

Cabinet said that this however did not mean that anyone was gagged from engaging in legitimate communications on matters of public interests and there had been no such instruction from any quarter in government before.

President Mbeki said last month that although he was concerned about allegations against high profile people including the deputy president, he was committed to the principle of allowing justice to take its course.

“And I think it would be a bit dangerous for the President to place himself in a position where he has got to make a determination about the rights and wrongs of various positions,” said the President.

He also said that government wanted the investigations completed as soon as possible so that the matter could be resolved.

“Whichever way it goes it gets resolved,” he said. - BuaNews.