Vavi+slams+Scorpions+raid+on+Ramatlhodi,+Xolani+Xundu,+Sunday+Times

Sunday Times, 5 November 2006
=Vavi slams Scorpions raid on Ramatlhodi’s houses=


 * XOLANI XUNDU**

Congress of South African Trade Unions’ general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi has described as “unfortunate” this week’s raids by the Scorpions on properties belonging to the former Limpopo Premier, Ngoako Ramatlhodi.

He said Ramatlhodi was correct in saying the investigation and the various allegations made against him in the media over the past three years had been highly pre judicial to him, professionally, politically and socially.

“It unfortunately falls into a pattern of how the Scorpions conducts itself and its investigations. Ngoako is not the only one crying out there; there are many comrades who are walking wounded,” said Vavi.

Such people would have their images “tarnished” through leaks to the media that they were being investigated by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), but would never be charged.

“There are so many people and it is completely unacceptable. Again, it is the case of you being guilty until you prove you are innocent instead of being the other way round,” he said.

In a statement on Friday, Ramatlhodi said Thursday’s raids were “the latest in a series of events” stretching back to 2003, relating to allegations of corruption while he was still Limpopo premier. “I stand firmly opposed to any form of corrupt or criminal activity. I respect and uphold the responsibility of the relevant organs of the state to thoroughly investigate all credible allegations of such activity,” he said.

In October 2003, noseweek published an article alleging corruption that implicated Ramatlhodi as having received kickbacks from a company which won a R250-million tender for social-grant payments.

Ramatlhodi said that former Director of Public Prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka confirmed to him around April 2004 that he, together with some of his associates, was being investigated by the Scorpions.

That year he had initiated a process to be admitted to the Bar as an advocate, but when the matter came before the court the presiding judge referred to media reports about the Scorpions’ investigation against him.

“He instructed me to request a letter from the Scorpions indicating the status of their investigation, which I then did. Until [Thursday’s] raids on my homes, I had received no response to my request,” Ramatlhodi said.

“The manner in which the Scorpions have conducted their investigation. .. is inconsistent with the principles of dignity and fair treatment enshrined in our Constitution.”

Ramatlhodi was pegged to take over from Ngcuka as head of the NPA or to be appointed into President Thabo Mbeki’s Cabinet as Justice minister, but this did not materialise.

He recently apologised to Mbeki and the ANC for accusing Mbeki of having a dictatorial style of leadership and sowing divisions within the party.

NPA spokesman Makhosini Nkosi declined to comment.


 * From: http://www.sundaytimes.co.za/article.aspx?ID=310569**

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