Various political parties entered the fray on Tuesday over leaked information on the Scorpions’s probe into Deputy President Jacob Zuma’s alleged involvement in the multi-billion rand arms deal.
The SA Communist Party (SACP) called on the Scorpions to complete their probe as soon as possible, while the New National Party warned against attacking the corruption busting unit’s credibility.
On Monday, the Democratic Alliance also urged the investigation be completed as soon as possible.
On Tuesday, NNP spokesperson Carol Johnson said putting pressure on the Sunday Times newspaper to reveal its source of the leaked information on the Scorpions’s investigation ”is preposterous and undemocratic”.
”The freedom and integrity of the press is a cornerstone of a proper democracy, and to expect it to reveal its sources is shocking,” she said.
”They should rather find the person who leaked the information, without putting pressure on the press to reveal its source.”
Johnson added that ”to attack the credibility of the Scorpions is, at this point, unjustified and based on assumption”.
”Until such time as there is actual proof that the leak came from the side of the Scorpions, they should not be made a scapegoat.
”The Scorpions have an investigation to undertake, they are statutorily mandated and legally obliged to investigate any allegations that are placed before them — let’s not attack their credibility on the basis of assumptions, or accuse them of being puppets in a politically-motivated play,” Johnson said.
Zuma has seemingly accused the Scorpions of the leak, and questioned their motives in allowing the newspaper sight of 35 questions he was asked to answer in connection with his alleged misconduct.
However, Justice Minister Penuell Maduna, who is responsible for the Scorpions, has said he is convinced the leak did not come from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Bulelani Ngcuka.
Ngcuka has himself said he is the target of a political campaign because of the investigation.
The SACP on Tuesday condemned the leak, and said in a statement there were a number of important principles that had to be observed and balanced against each other, including that no-one was above the law, or guilty until so proven.
”As much as the media may have an important investigative role… this should be balanced with the need for an effective and fair investigation process.
”Also important is the individual’s rights, which can be seriously impaired by indiscriminate leaking and publication of information.”
No matter who leaked the questions, it was tantamount to ”trial by the media”.
The SACP believed the focus should be on bringing the whole matter to speedy finalisation.
The sooner any allegations against Zuma were finalised through proper legal processes, and not the media, the better, the SACP said. – Sapa