South Africa’s Parliament said on Wednesday that it would be unwise and “incorrect” to comment on the court processes concerning MPs charged in the Travelgate scam.
In a statement released by one of Parliament’s media officers, Mirriam Moswaane, on behalf of the Speaker Baleka Mbete and the National Council of Provinces chairperson Johannes Mahlangu, Parliament said: “Parliament of the Republic of South Africa notes the Democratic Alliance’s concerns in their recently published media release regarding the ‘reduced number of MPs who were criminally charged’ following the alleged misuse of the travel vouchers.”
Parliament added: “It needs to be consistently borne in mind that Parliament initiated the investigation into the travel fraud. Subsequent to this, the matter was referred to the state’s investigation agencies.
“It would therefore be unwise and incorrect for Parliament to comment on the court processes while the matter is being dealt with.”
Parliament said further that it is important to indicate that its position remains the same with regard to the fact “that the law must take its course”.
Parliament will always ensure that matters pertaining to the investigations that were not sub judice or subject of the litigation process, were communicated to the South African public and the media, “in an open, transparent and fair manner”.
In a statement following the postponement to October 17 of the trial of 23 MPs and five travel agents by the Cape High Court on Monday, official opposition Democratic Alliance chief whip Douglas Gibson said: “It seems that several hundred MPs were originally named and that anything up to a hundred had a civil liability to Parliament.
“Because of the undue time [that] has elapsed, some people feel that the whole scandal, apart from the 28 currently charged, should be swept under the carpet. The DA does not share that view.” — I-Net Bridge