Article Search

 Scorpions' disbanding 'to protect the ANC'
    John Yeld
    February 15 2008 at 11:52AM
Get IOL on your
mobile at m.iol.co.za

The ANC is disbanding the Scorpions to protect the criminals in its own ranks and possibly also to cover-up even greater corruption in the Arms Deal than has already been made public, DA leader Helen Zille has suggested.

But the ANC has dismissed Zille's claims as "tired allegations that she's said over and over" and says the real reasons for the elite crime-busting unit's demise were clearly spelled out in the resolution taken at its Polokwane conference in December.

Speaking at Wits University on Thursday night, Zille pointed out that there were seven convicted criminals on the ANC's National Executive Committee and six NEC members were currently the subject of criminal investigations.
Continues Below ↓





"At least two of these, Ngoako Ramathlodi and Thaba Mufamadi, are currently being investigated by the Scorpions for alleged corruption," her speech notes state.

'At least two of these are currently being investigated'
"Furthermore, there is every chance that the dismantling of the Scorpions and the rush to do so before June is an indication of a greater cover-up in the ANC.

"It is often said that Zuma and Shaik are only the tip of the Arms Deal iceberg is it wildly unrealistic to speculate that the ANC is closing down the Scorpions to block any further investigation into the Arms Deal, just as it neutered the Standing Committee on Public Accounts?

"Is it absurd to suggest that the ANC could be blocking the Scorpions to prevent another major corruption scandal from emerging into the public domain?"

Her remarks come as an online petition headed "SOS Save Our Scorpions!" is being circulated.

By 4.30pm on Thursday, 3 335 people had signed it.

'Is it absurd to suggest...'
In her lecture part of the university's "Platform for Public Deliberations" speaker series Zille said some people argued that restructuring the Scorpions was merely about improving efficiency.


Continues...


Email StoryPrint Story
BOOKMARK THIS STORY
Social bookmarking allows users to save and categorise a personal collection of bookmarks and share them with others. This is different to using your own browser bookmarks which are available using the menus within your web browser.

Use the links below to share this article on the social bookmarking site of your choice.

Read more about social bookmarking at Wikipedia - Social Bookmarking

muti



Subscribe now to Cape Argus
     Related Articles
More Politics stories

Watch IOLs latest videos on YouTube Join IOLs Facebook page Follow IOL on Twitter





     Online Services

Date Your Destiny
 
I'm a 26 year old woman looking to meet men between the ages of 27 and 37.
 

     More Services

     More Politics Stories

     Breaking News      Most Read Stories
      Top News Stories
      Top South Africa Stories
      Top Reads - Yesterday



     Entertainment      Motoring
Our own McDreamy dishes out advice
Mel squeezes chat show in a busy life
Phat Joe in court over radio station car

     Business
Jobs data reveals SA on the right road
Forget about rand; schooling key to growth
Swiss to buy into Adcock division
FIRST DRIVES: Hyundai's new 'Tucson' and sexy Sonata
Killer crash-bags in fresh recall scandal
Struggling new teams can miss three races - Todt
Classic machines howl at Killarney Historic meeting
Yamaha, Ducati set pace at Sepang

     Travel
New vision strikes a chord
Discovering the pleasure of paradise
Spend 11 nights cruising the Med
Liquor-free hotel opens in Cape Town
Gateway to love is around the corner
     Careers
Changing lanes in the career highway
Getting to grips with the transport industry
To be your own boss, believe in yourself first
Salary survey puts unstable economy into the equation
Development of child is key