The government has yet to decide how to handle the fallout from the United Nations inquiry into the world body’s controversial Iraqi “oil-for-food” programme.
The report of the UN Independent Inquiry Committee, released in October, points fingers at thousands of companies for having allegedly flouted provisions of UN sanctions against the government of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.
It included, as a case study, the relationship between the Iraqi regime and Imvume, the controversial South African company with close ties to the ruling African National Congress.
Although Imvume has repeatedly denied paying any illegal surcharges or kickbacks, the report alleges that one payment of such a levy was made on behalf of the company.
The report has made waves overseas with several companies and individuals facing charges or investigations as a result. In India, allegations in the report that former foreign mini-ster Natwar Singh and the ruling Congress Party received oil allocations from Hussein led to mounting pressure, culminating in Singh’s resig-nation on Tuesday this week.
In November, Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka told Parlia-ment that the South African government was studying the report and taking legal advice about what action, if any, to take in response.
The Mail & Guardian has established that a legal opinion from the State Attorney’s office was forwarded to the Ministry of Justice more than two weeks ago.
Ministry spokesperson Leslie Mashowke declined to give any details about what the legal advice received by the government recommended, or to provide a time frame for a formal response.
He said the matter was being discussed between the ministry and Mlambo-Ngcuka’s office and that the government would react in due course.