IFP MEDIA STATEMENT BY: 
MR KOOS VAN DER MERWE  MP 
IFP CHIEF WHIP AND SPOKESPERSON ON JUSTICE

10th June 2008

Mr Koos van der Merwe, IFP Chief Whip, speaking during the Parliamentary Budget Vote in the National Assembly today, called for a Commission of Enquiry to be launched into the Travel Gate scandal. 

Mr van der Merwe said: "The truth must be told and South Africans have the right to know which MP's, if any, are guilty, and which MPs are NOT guilty.  

"The truth will set the innocent ones free - free from the contamination by the guilty ones. 

"Therefore -- let the guilty ones be punished and the innocent ones be liberated from the scandal." 

Mr van der Merwe continued: "We propose that a Judge of the High Court be appointed to lead a Commission of Enquiry into Travel Gate to establish, and publish the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth about Travel Gate. 

"That is the only way we will be able to protect the integrity of Parliament and the integrity of its innocent Members. 

In conclusion Mr van der Merwe commented: "We cannot pass the buck to the next Parliament. The truth will set us free."