Hogarth 28 August 2011

When 'secret' means 'yet another excuse'

POLITICAL loyalty is much admired in our country and one such loyal servant is Anwa Dramat, head of the police investigations unit known as the Hawks.

He has done everything he can to quash the probe into allegations of corruption around the infamous arms deal that launched a thousand fortunes into our recently empowered economy.

The game seemed to be up, though, when an American law firm - on behalf of submarine-makers Ferrostaal - reported "questionable and improper payments" to South African consultants in connection with the German contract to provide submarines for our navy.

"Gotcha," said the Desperate Alternative's David Maynier, as he dashed off a note to Dramat demanding that the new report be investigated.

But no. The eagle-eyed Hawk spotted the "privileged and confidential" tag on the report and refused to read any further.

"There is no indication that this privilege has been waived. As such, (we) can neither have insight nor utilise the report for any purpose whatsoever," Dramat wrote to Maynier, before snapping the file shut yet again.

Is that how they pursue other crimes too, Hogarth wonders?

OMG, the police! I swear!

THAT peripatetic politician Luwellyn Landers has been doing a similar dance in the parliamentary committee the ANC ordered to ram the secrecy bill into law. He has recently been defending the quaint notion that secret documents suggesting corruption should be handed in at the nearest police station rather than the nearest newspaper office to ensure thorough investigation.

So what could he have meant when he told the committee this week: "We all know what it is like to enter a police station. I mean, it's like a nightmare. You look around and you look at the people and you think: 'Oh my God.' You cringe. Now imagine how much worse it's going to be when you are bringing this person a top-secret document. I expect that they are going to want to lock you up. Why are you having this document? And you are going to have to explain and say: 'No, go and look at that act.' Well, people behind the counter in our police stations, well ... so it is a problem."

As Dramat explains, though, if the document is marked "secret" the police won't be able to look at it anyway.

Relishing Gaddafi mayhem

THE government's muddled stance on Libya makes sense after this week's announcement that a protracted struggle to quell Brother Leader might result in South Africa hosting the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

A united front against Gaddafi's regime could bring a speedy end to the tyranny - and the soccer tournament may stay in the desert. However, the official policy of drawing things out for as long as possible until another tyrant dies of old age or obesity could translate into soccer glory.

About that rugby glory . . .

NOT to be outdone by his predecessors, our Karaoke King has announced that he will be in New Zealand to sing for the Springboks at the opening ceremony of the Rugby World Cup.

Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki had their moments in the closing ceremonies, of course, with Mbeki being lifted aloft in France in 2007.

So why has President Jacob Zuma opted for the opening ceremony? Does he fear that is as close as he is likely to get to rugby's World Cup?

A message to the harem

THE first ladies and girlfriends must be asking themselves whether the president was briefed on Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng's notorious "she-asked-for-it" rulings on marital rape before Zuma announced his pick for chief justice.

And did he see Justice Mogoeng's decision in the appeal of Eric Mathibe, who dragged his girlfriend behind his car along a gravel road until her stomach, right leg and knees were torn?

Reducing Mathibe's two-year jail sentence to a fine of R2000, the judge wrote: "... the accused is a first offender ... who was provoked by the complainant and the complainant did not sustain serious injuries".

Write to: hogarth@sundaytimes.co.za