The publication by ThisDay newspaper of a list of 136 MPs ”fingered” in the travel voucher investigation adds nothing of value to the public’s understanding of the issues involved, said South Africa’s ruling African National Congress on Thursday.
”The report provides no new insight into what took place, nor any indication of whether any MPs are guilty of any wrongdoing. Rather than performing a public service, ThisDay has contributed to further confusion and misunderstanding.
”The report borders on being malicious and slanderous,” said spokesperson Smuts Ngonyama.
”The National Prosecuting Authority [NPA] has confirmed that 23 current or former MPs are currently under investigation. There is no indication in the report in ThisDay where the names of the 136 MPs come from, nor any confirmation from the NPA that these people are indeed under investigation.”
Ngonyama said none of the 136 MPs has been found guilty of any offence and none of the MPs listed has been charged with any offence.
”And to date, the NPA has only confirmed that 23 MPs are under investigation.
”There is no indication in the report what ‘fingered in the travel scam’ actually means, nor in fact what it means to be ‘implicated’. It merely places those named under a very broad and vague cloud of suspicion, for which it provides no justification apart from the appearance of a name on a list.
”The reality is that neither the media nor the South African public has any way of knowing, at this point, whether any of these 136 people — or any other MPs — are guilty of an offence. That can only be known once the Scorpions’ investigation and any resulting prosecution is completed.
”The ANC therefore reiterates its position that the law must take its course on this matter, without let or hindrance. The basic legal principle of the presumption of innocence of all those who are charged or under investigation should be respected.
”The guilt or innocence of any person must be determined by the courts, not by the media, political parties or self-anointed commentators.
”The ANC urges the media to promote clean and accountable government, respect for the law, and respect for the constitutional rights of all citizens. It is unfortunate that the report in ThisDay does none of these.”
The report — under the byline of Ranjeni Munusamy — says four Cabinet ministers, two deputy ministers, two premiers and some of parliament’s top office bearers ”are on a list of 136 Members of Parliament fingered in the travel scam that has rocked South Africa”.
The report carries a list of 136 MPs with their party affiliations as well as photographs of some of those named. — I-Net Bridge
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