IFP Pleased With Mathe Decision

MEDIA STATEMENT RELEASED BY:
MS SYBIL SEATON
IFP SPOKESPERSON ON CORRECTIONAL SERVICES

March 6, 2007

The Inkatha Freedom Party's Spokesperson on Correctional Services, Ms Sybil Seaton MP, today commended Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services for rejecting the findings of a task team set-up to investigate Annanias Mathe's escape from C Max prison last year.

"The report that was presented to the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services did not explain and clarify exactly how Mathe escaped and thus a lot of questions remained. Therefore, the IFP fully supports the decision that was taken by the Committee today," said Ms Seaton.

"We are delighted that the Committee has proposed that an independent investigation, led by a retired judge, be set-up to investigate this matter further. If this independent investigation is to go ahead, we hope that they will be able to shed some light on what really happened when Mathe escaped from one of South Africa's most secure prisons," concluded Ms Seaton.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mrs Sybil Seaton MP: 083 412 0075
Liezl van der Merwe: 083 611 7470