The African National Congress says the so-called “Travelgate” probe into the misuse of MPs’ travel vouchers has been carried out in a “vindictive” and “unplanned” manner.
But the official opposition Democratic Alliance says the ruling party wants to “smear the Scorpions” (the investigators) and in the process, “obscure the culpability” of the MPs who had allegedly stolen taxpayers’ money “and defrauded Parliament”.
The row on Thursday broke out after ANC chief whip Mbulelo Goniwe said the probe has taken place in a “very, very non-sensitive” way. He was speaking at a briefing to the media at Parliament.
He said the image is that MPs — with 40 MPs facing charges in court later this month — are being painted as “cowboys and crooks”, which “could not be further from the truth”.
DA chief whip Douglas Gibson said in a statement: “I agree with Mr Goniwe when he says that the investigation has taken too long. What we need now is for the accused to be charged without further delay and brought to trial.
“The innocent must be exonerated and the guilty must face criminal penalties, they must refund Parliament, and they must lose their seats in Parliament.
“I invite Mr Goniwe to join me in pressing for justice to be done, instead of going on a public-relations exercise.”
Goniwe said the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development and its agencies should be called to Parliament to explain their intentions relating to the probe.
He questioned why the “Travelgate” saga has re-emerged just before President Thabo Mbeki is scheduled to re-open Parliament.
Mbeki is scheduled to deliver his State of the Nation speech next Friday, February 11. — I-Net Bridge