28 December 2000
As government we were dismayed by the statement by Judge Willem Heath suggesting that certain people are blocking the investigation into the arms procurement deal.
As far as the Minister of Justice is concerned nothing official has been decided as to whether to issue a proclamation or not. The matter is currently under consideration and we are following the normal procedure of processing these matters before any decision can be made in this regard.
We are not in any event compelled to refer this matter to Judge Willem Heath and he too is not entitled to be asking for this matter to be refferred to him because the are many investigative agencies such as the Office for Serious Economic Offences, the Public Protector, the police and even the Auditor General for that matter. The Special Investigating Act also provides that additional units may be appointed where it is necessary.
From the side of government there is no intention to sweep this matter under the carpet. Any such allegations are malicious.
Government is also urging Patricia de Lille of the Pan Africanist Congress to refrain from confusing and misleading the public. There is a clear separation of power between the legislature and the executive. This matter, in any event was never debated and no recommendation has been made that the Heath Unit should investigate this matter. The matter was discussed at the Public Accounts' Committee level.
No recommendation was placed before parliament for a debate therefore de Lille is misleading the public and she is seeking cheap publicity and is trying to score cheap political points with this matter.
Regarding the request by the Democratic Alliance for a meeting with Justice Minister Penuell Maduna:
This is not a political matter and we do not want to politicise it by holding seperate meetings with individual parties.
They should table their motions in parliament and then Government will respond according to parliamentary procedure on the progress made in the matter.
We are not interested in meeting with individual parties regarding matters which can be cleared up through parliamentary channels.
ISSUED ON BEHALF OF THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, PENUELL MADUNA
For further inquiries : Paul Setsetse 083 252 4770