Balfour Must Come Clean

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

February 26, 2007

The Inkatha Freedom Party's Spokesperson on Correctional Services, Ms Sybil Seaton MP, today said that it is of utmost importance that Correctional Services Minister, Ngconde Balfour, comes clean on what really happened during the escape of notorious prisoner Ananias Mathe from Pretoria's C Max prison last year.

The Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services last week rejected the Minister's findings on Mathe's escape.

"The IFP believes that the Minister is simply beating around the bush and we are not buying into his explanations that the investigation is still on-going," commented Ms Seaton.

"The Minister must come clean with the truth and the truth is that the evidence clearly indicates that this dangerous prisoner was aided in his escape.

"The IFP calls on Minister Balfour to take urgent action against those who deliberately aided Mathe in his escape, so that we can send out a clear message to other prison officials that corruption will NOT be tolerated," concluded Ms Seaton.


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