R2K pickets for dissolving of Seriti Commission

"This is part of a longer term effort on our part, that the commission is not doing its job, is a waste of money and should be reviewed completely," said Gauteng co-ordinator Dale McKinley.

 

A group of 15 R2K members demonstrated outside the department of justice in Pretoria.

 

Their posters read "Seriti Commission is a white wash", "Let the truth be told" and "What are you hiding?"

 

A much larger group would demonstrate outside the commission on October 20, he said.

 

Gauteng provincial organiser Bongani Xezwi said members of the public had gathered to support the picket.

 

Earlier, over 30 organisations signed a petition to support the R2K's call to dissolve the commission. They called for a full criminal investigation, and the prosecution of those implicated in wrongdoing.

 

"The Seriti Commission of Inquiry into the arms deal represented a crucial opportunity to uncover the truth, but it has become highly unlikely that the commission will fulfil its mandate," said spokesman Murray Hunter in a statement.

 

Local organisations which supported the call included Corruption Watch, Lawyers for Human Rights, the Public Service Accountability Monitor, and the Institute for Security Studies. Eight international organisations also backed it.