South Africa’s investigation into the arms deal and its putting into place of mechanisms to deal with unbecoming behaviour by both politicians and government officials are illustrations of the government “setting a good example”, says Deputy President Jacob Zuma.
He was replying to a question in Parliament from Democratic Alliance member of the National Council of Provinces Shelley Loe.
Loe asked whether — in Zuma’s assessment — the government is setting a good example to South African citizens regarding moral regeneration, particularly in view of the so-called Travelgate issue, the arms deal and other ethical questions involving politicians and senior government officials.
Loe was referring to the misuse of parliamentary travel vouchers, which has become known as Travelgate.
Zuma said he believes the government is “indeed” setting a good example to South African citizens regarding moral regeneration.
“I believe that by instituting an investigation into the arms deal and putting in place mechanisms to deal with unbecoming behaviour by both politicians and government officials, the government is setting a very good example to South African citizens that wrongdoing is not acceptable, no matter what the status of the alleged perpetrator,” he said.
Zuma did not refer to the Shaik fraud and corruption trial involving the arms deal. Shaik is his business adviser.
He noted that Parliament has developed a code of conduct for its members, which is intended to help MPs conduct themselves appropriately as public representatives, establish standards of behaviour for them and hold them accountable for their exercise of power.
Ministers are obliged to comply with an executive code of ethics that prescribes standards and rules aimed at promoting open government.
All government officials are expected to comply with a code of conduct.
“Unfortunately, the media tends to focus on usually untested allegations of unethical behaviour rather than the advances government has made in setting standards for public representatives.
“In spite of all the media hype regarding the travel-vouchers investigation initiated by Parliament, no MP has yet been charged let alone prosecuted for any offence relating to this investigation.
“Similarly with the arms-procurement process, in spite of extensive investigations over a six-year period, no one has been found guilty of any offence directly linked to the procurement process,” he said.
“It is regrettable that the good stories of the advances being made in establishing transparent, clean government are perceived as selling fewer newspapers than the ones which allege impropriety.” — I-Net Bridge