DA questions halt to Travelgate probe

The Democratic Alliance has called on the Speaker of Parliament to explain why a decision has been made to stop further investigations into MPs implicated in the Travelgate scandal.

This follows publication in the Government Gazette last week of a notice directing liquidators “not to pursue any action as against the various members of Parliament in relation to the un-invoiced tickets, levies and/or services”.

The notice, published on May 9, applies to the agency Bathong Travel.

It further directs liquidators to “cease all other litigation as against the members of Parliament in relation to all ‘vouchers’ that may have been utilised by Bathong Travel”.

In a statement on Tuesday, DA chief whip Ian Davidson said the prospect of Parliament “simply washing its hands of any further action against individuals who have stolen millions from South Africa’s coffers” was abhorrent.

The party would write a letter to Speaker Baleka Mbete asking for an explanation as to why a decision had been made to stop any further investigations into corruption on the part of MPs.

The DA had also applied, in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act, for copies of the liquidators’ report detailing the individuals they had acted against, the amount claimed and a schedule of repayments received. - Sapa