/ 21 September 2003

Probe all former apartheid spies, says PAC

The Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) on Sunday called for an investigation into all former spies of the apartheid government.

PAC president Motsoko Pheko said it was inconsistent to probe only one person for allegations of being a former spy, but cover up for others.

”What is the government afraid of in not probing all former spies? Is it because some government officials could be found to have been spies?” he asked.

On Thursday, Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Penuell Maduna announced the government had instituted a judicial commission of inquiry to probe allegations of apartheid-era spying against National Director of Public Prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka.

The allegations surfaced after Ngcuka announced the elite Scorpions detective unit was probing Deputy President Jacob Zuma on bribery allegations related to the controversial multi-billion arms deal.

Pheko said on Sunday many former freedom fighters especially those of the Azanian People’s Liberation Army (Apla) were languishing in the prisons because they fought against apartheid. Apla was the former military wing of the PAC.

”But according to the African National Congress (ANC) government former spies must not be investigated. They must not be touched,” he said.

”Must they instead be allowed to occupy high positions in our country and rule it? Are they less guilty than the imprisoned former freedom fighters?”

Pheko said all former apartheid spies should be investigated and punished or barred from holding public office. – Sapa