SIU boss thumbs nose at parliament on Nkandla

11 July 2014 - 08:56 By DENISE WILLIAMS
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Nkandla. File photo
Nkandla. File photo
Image: THEMBINKOSI DWAYISA

The head of the Special Investigating Unit has refused to give parliament the names of the two people who are delaying the Nkandla investigation.

Vas Soni, briefing parliament's justice portfolio committee yesterday, said his Nkandla investigation had stalled because the unit had not been given access to President Jacob Zuma's private residence until Thursday last week.

Soni said a lengthy legal process had to be followed before entry into a private home could be gained.

The meeting became heated when MPs complained about the withholding of the names of those delaying the investigation, with DA MP Glynnis Breytenbach leading the charge.

"I am really not satisfied with the reply given by Mr Soni that he would prefer not to name the persons," she said.

But ANC MP and committee chairman Mathole Motshekga said Soni was not there to report on Nkandla: "We didn't invite him to come and give us a progress report on his investigation . with respect, I am not going to allow that."

Soni said the names of the two people delaying his work would be disclosed in his final report to Zuma.

"Clearly they are delaying the work . but they are not hindering it," he said.

Zuma sparked a furorewhen he refused to respond to Public Protector Thuli Madonsela's findings on Nkandla when they were published, saying he would wait for the Special Investigating Unit's report.

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