Cape Town – Government had demonstrated its transparency and responsiveness in addressing the events around the landing last month of a chartered Jet Airways airplane at Waterkloof Air Force Base, the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Jeff Radebe, said today.
In a debate on the use of Waterkloof Air Force Base, Radebe said the Waterkloof report, which he released today, had satisfied the mandate given to the investigating team.
“We have demonstrated transparency and responsiveness in addressing this matter. We will continue to work even harder and better to secure our country and to ensure that our people are and feel safe,” he said.
He stressed that the investigation had been backed up by statements, local visits and affidavits, and included the full co-operation by role players and departments involved.
He told MPs swift action had already been taken related to the matter, with six cases having been opened at Sun City police station.
Radebe pointed out that despite a newspaper report this morning in The Times, none of the cases had been withdrawn
He added that those who were found to have colluded and acted wrongly would be dealt with.
Any individuals that had further information related to the case were welcome to submit this to police and investigating authorities, he said.
On Sunday, Radebe said the probe had revealed a number of transgressions made by officials - including the failure to apply for renewal of a firearms licence, fraud and the conducting of security service by private security guards – and added that investigations would continue.
He said though a negative culture of name dropping in the form of improper use of the names of members of the executive had developed, no minister or the President had been involved.
However, the opposition today questioned whether ministers were not responsible for the saga.
ANC MPs, meanwhile, called for the investigation into the Waterkloof saga to continue and for those responsible to be brought to book.
Earlier this month, the Democratic Alliance requested the Public Protector conduct an independent enquiry into the matter. – SAnews.gov.za
