Issued by: Office of the Presidency
7 February 2001
The Presidency has dismissed claims by MP Ms Patricia de Lille that it was inefficient in handling her lawyers' approach requesting information about decision-making in the inquiry into the defence procurement package. Ms De Lille's criticisms were made at the Johannesburg Press Club last night.
Spokesman Bheki Khumalo said that the lawyers' approach had, without any delay, been communicated to the state attorney's office for immediate response and action. This was the most efficient way of dealing with the matter.
"For Ms De Lille to suggest inefficiency on our part is somewhat baffling, for her dealings were with the state attorney's office and not The Presidency. The two are separate institutions.
"The Presidency acted with all due speed, and if there were any subsequent snags in the further process of faxing material, as appears to have been the case, this would be an easily-remedied problem and should surely not be latched on to as a major delay -nor laid at the door of The Presidency.
"We have been informed by the state attorney's office that they are doing everything possible to expedite the matter, and we have today requested a report on progress. We earnestly ask Ms De Lille to accept that this is the position, so that the real issues at stake can be aired as rapidly as possible, and without public confusion."
Inquiries: Bheki Khumalo, cellular phone 083 200 1900
Tasneem Carrim
Communications
The Presidency
Tel: +27 12 319 1500
Fax: +27 12 323 6080
Cell: +27 (0) 83 650 7119
e-mail: tasneem@po.gov.za
tcarrim@mweb.co.za.