23 November 2007

Unlike the incumbent ANC-controlled KwaZulu Natal provincial government which has done its best to cover up the glaring maladministration in the Department of Agriculture, the IFP-led administration between 1994 and 2004 honoured the paramount role of Parliament in the province's system of democratic governance.

"It is alarming to see the ANC government going out of its way to delay the publication of the forensic report into misconduct at Agriculture which was brought about by ANC departmental appointees in the first place," said Leader of the Official Opposition in KwaZulu Natal Dr Lionel Mtshali.

The IFP recalls how ferociously the ruling party resisted this investigation for two years in the face of all evidence of overspending and maladministration by former Head of Department Dr Jabulani Mjwara.

"Last year's call for forensic investigation by the Official Opposition was downplayed by the ANC when Parliament ordered a mere internal investigation. Its devastating outcome led to the current forensic investigation anyway," said Dr Mtshali.

The IFP notes that the forensic investigation has so far cost the South African taxpayer approximately R5-million and contends that the ruling party's reluctance to table the report in Parliament renders this a waste of the taxpayers' money.

The IFP questions the arguments put forward by MEC for Finance Zweli Mkhize who does not believe the contents of the forensic report would be safe with the provincial parlamentarians.

"The ANC doubts the trustworthiness of parlamentarians who initiated the forensic investigation. Perhaps they should have doubted the reliability of their own departmental appointees whose misconduct led to the forensic investigation in the first place," said Dr Mtshali.

The IFP is currently seeking legal opinion on the options that could compel the ruling party to table the forensic report in Parliament despite the concerns voiced by Mkhize.

"The Official Opposition views the unprecedented secrecy that surrounds this particular forensic report in the context of intensifying centralisation of power in the hands of a narrow ANC clique both at provincial and national level," said Dr Mtshali.

Contact:
Dr Lionel Mtshali, 083 256 4902