Cape Town | Thursday
PARLIAMENT will be briefed on Thursday by the Public Protector Selby Baqwa, National Director of Public Prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka and Auditor-General Shauket Fakie about the long-awaited forensic report into the controversial arms deal.
National Assembly speaker Dr Frene Ginwala received a copy of the 250-page report on Wednesday afternoon and said she would table it in Parliament on Thursday.
Fakie — who is leading the forensic investigation – and Ginwala are the only two people believed to possess copies of the report.
Ginwala said it was the first time that the National Assembly chamber would be used as a venue for something other than sittings of the House and speeches by visiting Heads of State.
”The three investigating heads will report to MPs at 1.30pm and that will constitute the tabling.”
Ginwala said it was important that all MPs heard the findings from the investigators themselves. There would be no questions.
The three would then brief the relevant parliamentary committees and would also hold a press conference at 3.30pm.
SABC radio news reported on Wednesday it had a copy of the report and that the government has been cleared of any ”improper or unlawful conduct” in the arms deal. Those cleared included the president and Cabinet ministers.
The investigators said there were no grounds to suggest the government’s contracting process was flawed, and their findings resulted from a lengthy criminal and forensic investigation.
The chief of arms procurement Chippy Shaik had neither received nor applied for proper military security clearance as required by law, according to the report.
Meanwhile, it emerged on Wednesday that at least six MPs from four political parties were served with subpoenas by the Scorpions on Monday, but these were revoked a day later. – Sapa