National Director of Public Prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka expressed frustration on Friday at delays in the Hefer commission’s investigation of allegations that he was an apartheid-era spy.
”I would like to have it resolved as of yesterday,” Ngcuka told reporters in Pretoria.
”It demoralises my organisation, it disrupts our activities. Yes, I am frustrated.”
Ngcuka was answering questions at a press conference about cooperation between his Scorpions special investigating unit and Scotland Yard.
The commission’s hearings, due to have started on Wednesday, were postponed on Thursday to next Wednesday.
This followed a request from Ngcuka’s main accusers — African National Congress stalwart Mac Maharaj and Foreign Affairs official Mo Shaik — for loads of security files that were kept by the apartheid regime.
Also, journalist Ranjeni Munusamy, who first reported on the spying allegations against Ngcuka, refused to give evidence. She cited her personal safety and the protection of her sources as her reasons for refusal.
Ngcuka rejected reports on Friday of his alleged ”alliance” with foreign intelligence agencies wishing to weaken the ANC-led government.
”The truth of the matter is that we live in a global village and we deal with international crimes and international syndicates,” he said.
”So we have to work with all the law enforcement agencies in the world. Anyone who said we are manipulated by those relationships … they don’t know me, they don’t know their country — those are not patriotic people.
”We have to learn from other people. We cannot stay here on an island, so we are working with these people.”
On another topic, Ngcuka welcomed a R1-million fine imposed on Count Riccardo Agusta, an Italian convicted of corruption on Thursday in connection with money paid to Western Cape politicians.
The 52-year-old multimillionaire pleaded guilty in the Cape High Court to charges relating to a donation of R400 000 he gave the New National Party in an apparent bid to pave the way for planning approval of the Roodefontein golf estate development near Plettenberg Bay.
”It is a good thing,” Ngcuka said. ”It is the first time in the history of this country that an international businessman is investigated and prosecuted for corrupting our politicians, and pleads guilty and pays a fine of a million [rands].”
Former Western Cape premier Peter Marais and former provincial minister of social development David Malatsi are to go on trial in connection with the same matter next month.
Ngcuka would not say if Agusta would testify against the pair as part of the plea agreement.
”Whether we use him as a witness or not, that is a decision we will have to take at a later stage depending on how the case proceeds.” — Sapa
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