/ 9 May 2013

ANC gives Gupta Parliament debate the go ahead

'We urge President Zuma to make himself available for this debate so that he can answer for his role in this saga
'We urge President Zuma to make himself available for this debate so that he can answer for his role in this saga,' said the DA.

"As an open and transparent forum for debate on matters of national importance, Parliament has a responsibility to reflect on this matter in the interest of the people of South Africa," said Moloto Mothapo, spokesperson for African National Congress chief whip Mathole Motshekga on Thursday.


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"We cannot allow a situation whereby our ports of entry and national key points are penetrated with impunity."

He said the ANC had proposed that the debate be scheduled from June 4 to 7.

"The motivation for the scheduling of the debate during that week takes into consideration the congested programme of Parliament, due to the stream of budget vote debates currently underway," Mothapo said.

"It is also envisaged that the government investigation into this matter would have been concluded by that time."

He said the multi-party chief whip's forum would consider the scheduling proposal at its next meeting and would make a recommendation to the speaker of the National Assembly, Max Sisulu.

Zuma's presence at the debate
The Democratic Alliance earlier asked that President Jacob Zuma be present at the debate.

"We urge President Zuma to make himself available for this debate so that he can answer for his role in this saga," said DA chief whip Watty Watson in a statement.

"The presidency can no longer remain silent on this matter of public importance."

He said Sisulu had granted his request for a debate on the matter, and he hoped time would be made available for this as a matter of urgency.

"The abuse of government resources in this scandal has seriously undermined the integrity and security of the state, and Parliament must do everything within its powers to ensure that all those responsible are held to account," said Watson.

"It is critical that the National Assembly be heard on this matter and that public representatives are able to exercise their constitutionally mandated oversight role." 

Last week reports claimed that access was granted to the Guptas, to land an aircraft ferrying their friends and family from India, at the Waterkloof Air Force Base in Pretoria.

'The ANC will never rest'
On April 30, ANC spokesperson Jackson Mthembu called for those who authorised the landing at the national key point to explain how they got to that decision.

"Those who cannot account must be brought to book. The African National Congress will never rest where there is any indication that all and sundry may be permitted to undermine the republic, its citizens and its borders," he said.

At the time, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) spokesperson, Siphiwe Dlamini said the force was not aware of any permission granted for the Gupta family to use the base in Pretoria.

However, Gupta family spokesperson Gary Naidoo last week insisted in a brief statement that permission was obtained from the SANDF to use the base.

He said the Indian high commission, and not the family, applied for and was granted the permission.

Attempts to confirm this with the high commission in Pretoria were unsuccessful.

The Guptas were celebrating the wedding of Vega Gupta (23) to India-born Aakash Jahajgarhia at the Sun City resort in the North West. – Sapa