FRIDAY, 10.30AM
JUSTICE Minister Dullah Omar has rejected claims published on Thursday in Afrikaans daily Beeld that the government meddled in the investigation into allegations against Dr Allan Boesak.
Said Omar: ”There does not appear to be any factual basis for even suggesting interference in investigationas by anyone. The best placed are the Office for Serious Economic Offences and the attorney-general’s office. Neither has ever complained of any interference.”
Beeld on Thursday quoted Reserve Bank official John Neethling, who claimed he had been prevented from completing a probe into possible contravention by Boesak of exchange control regulations.
Bank assistant GM Charles van Staden said the Bak’s exchange control department never carried out a full investigation of Boesak. He said that an initial inquiry was conducted based on certain claims made by Boesak’s wife Elna in divorce papers, after which ”all relevant information was furnished to Oseo”.
Boesak will appear in the Cape High Court next month on fraud charges involving R5,7-million in donor funds to his defunct Foundation for Peace and Justice. It is alleged Boesak was involved in the misappropriation of R3,3-million of the money.