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Congress of the People (COPE) President and Parliamentary Leader, Hon. Mosiuoa Lekota categorically denies accusation that he deployed the Defence Force to Khutsong during his tenure as Defence Minister.

This has never happened and could never have happened. Section 201 (2) of the South African Constitution states that “ only the President, as head of the national executive, may authorise the employment of the defence force- (a) in co-operation with the police service; (b) in
defence of the Republic; or (c)in fulfilment of an international
obligation.”

Section 203 of the Constitution further states that “”The President as head of the executive may declare a state of national defence, and
must inform Parliament promptly and inappropriate detail of-
(a) The reasons for declaration;
(b) any place where the defence force being employed; and
(c) The number of people involved. ”

Therefore, it could not have been possible for any Minister to deploy the Defence Force to Khutsong, as this remains the responsibility of the President of the country.

We have never had such a situation during President Thabo Mbeki’s tenure. Consequently, Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu and Water Affairs Minister Edna Molewa deliberately misled the house and the nation in accusing me of deploying members of Defence Force.

If there were people who were shot, injured and killed in Khutsong by ,the Defence Force, there could have been an enquiry to establish reasons for the deployment or killings. The report of such an enquiry report could have been tabled before Parliament and would have been filed in the office of the Speaker for record of Parliament.

As far as I am concern there has never been such a process. And therefore, once again, it is clear the accusation was a blatant attemp to mislead Members of Parliament and the Nation at large.

I have therefore written a letter (See attachment) to the Speaker drawing her attention to these facts and demanding that both Ministers must publicly retract their false allegation and apologise for misleading Parliament and the nation.