Jaspreet Kindra
Embattled Inkatha Freedom Party MPL Phillip Powell, who is currently being investigated by the National Directorate of Public Prosecutions, has left the country. The investigation relates to at least 20 tons of armament sent to Powell by former Vlakplaas commander Eugene de Kock in preparation for possible war ahead of the 1994 general elections.
Sources this week confirmed that Powell’s passage to the United Kingdom was discussed at an IFP/African National Congress 10-a- side meeting, chaired by Deputy President Jacob Zuma, in Durban on March 11. “It was an extended caucus meeting, where Powell’s issue was raised while the issue of special amnesty for human rights violators in KwaZulu-Natal was being discussed,” a source said.
The controversial politician announced in February that he would be resigning on March 15.
Meanwhile, the office of National Director of Public Prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka this week said Powell has not been granted indemnity from possible future prosecution in connection with the arms cache. He said Powell did not make a “full disclosure” when in a sensational pre-election development last year, he led investigators to the cache buried in Nqutu, 50km from Ulundi.
The arms had been supplied by De Kock in 1993 to arm IFP self-defence units.
Powell claimed he had been granted indemnity by the KwaZulu-Natal director of public prosecutions, Mokotedi Mpshe. Powell’s legal representatives argued that he had “facilitated the process of recovery of the arms cache”.
The Nqutu cache is believed to be only a fraction of the arms supplied by De Kock. In his book, A Long Night’s Damage, De Kock claimed he had supplied six 10-ton trucks full of weaponry to the IFP on Powell’s request.
Ngcuka’s representative, Sipho Ngwema, this week said the Powell investigation was complete. “We are liaising with Powell’s legal representatives on several aspects of the report. We are looking at several possibilities, including treason. He had not been charged, which is why he was free to go.” Ngwema also pointed out that the UK had an extradition treaty with South Africa.
Asked to comment, IFP national representative Reverend Musa Zondi said Powell was on study leave. “He has his passport, why can’t he go?” Zondi asked.
Contacted in the UK this week, Powell declined to comment.