ACDP calls on Public Protector to leave no stone unturned in Gupta investigation

MEDIA RELEASE
Cheryllyn Dudley MP
2 May 2013

• The ACDP does not take issue with SA being a playground for the “rich and famous” if their presence and spending benefits our economy and increases employment opportunities - we take issue with them doing so at the expense of the people of South Africa – Cheryllyn Dudley

ACDP Member of Parliament and Member of the International Relations Portfolio Committee, Cheryllyn Dudley, today voiced concern over the landing of the Gupta family’s private aircraft at a national key point.

“Not only was the landing of the aircraft at the Waterkloof Air Force Base in Pretoria a major breach of national security, it was also an abuse of state resources.

The ACDP calls on government to fully investigate how the recent fiasco - which is reported to have included a ‘blue-light brigade’ escorting guests from Waterkloof to Sun City - was allowed to take place and to hold those responsible accountable.

The ACDP further calls for an urgent investigation by the Public Protector into this matter as relevant Ministers and their departments clearly need to be scrutinized.

Money, we know has the potential to corrupt and Members of Parliament, as representatives of the people will, together with the media and other sectors of society, always have to be vigilant. What we don’t expect is the shockingly blatant and brazen manner in which this sort of disregard for the countries laws, security and public funds has been attempted right under all of our noses, as if those guilty expect to pull it off and indeed feel entitled to do so!

The ACDP calls on the Public Protector to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that those involved in these irregular and legally unauthorized activities - which included the landing of a private aircraft at a ‘national key point’ - are brought to book.

The ACDP notes the media attention and public out-cry over this matter which we welcome in the interests of the people of South Africa. We also acknowledge comments made by Hon Jeremy Cronin and agree with the sentiment he clearly wished to express. The ACDP, however, does not take issue with South Africa being a ‘playground’ for the ‘rich and famous’ if their presence and spending benefits our economy and increases employment opportunities – we take issue with them doing so at the expense of the people of South Africa.”