DA takes Mthethwa to task over Gaddafi funds

Daily Dispatch

@Dispatch_DD THE DA intends applying to the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) to “get sight” of all documents distributed to the UN relating to Libyan financial interests in South Africa, specifically those concerning slain Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

“As the South African body responsible for providing financial intelligence for use in the fight against crime, money laundering and terror financing, I trust the FIC will have all relevant information available at their fingertips,” DA spokesman Tim Harris said in a statement yesterday.

The application would be made in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA).

“The PAIA application is necessary since [Finance] Minister [Pravin] Gordhan has denied my request for a full investigation into the Gaddafi billions in South Africa,” he said.

The decision was made after it emerged that Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa knew about the presence of Gaddafi’s former chief of staff Bashir Saleh in South Africa as early as February.

This was according to a reply by Mthethwa to a DA parliamentary question on Tuesday.

The DA asked Mthethwa if he was informed of Saleh’s presence in the country at any point since October 20 2011, and if so, on what occasion.

Mthethwa replied: “Yes” “during February 2013”.

Another questioned posed by the DA was: “Why was the specified person [Saleh] not arrested … why was his presence not detected by crime intelligence?”

Mthethwa replied: “The Interpol red notice is not an international arrest warrant which allows for immediate arrest. Once a fugitive is detected, a provisional arrest warrant should be requested and provided through Interpol channels, followed by original documentation between the competent authorities through diplomatic channels.”

Mthethwa

said

requests

and

for clarity on whether this specific person was still wanted, and to provide the required documentation, were sent through Interpol communication channels to Libya.

“These requests are still to be answered,” he said.

There was no extradition treaty in place between South Africa and Libya.

The DA also asked the minister if he knew Saleh was on Interpol’s most wanted list.

Mthethwa responded that Interpol did not have “a so-called most wanted list”.

Mthethwa’s spokesman Zweli Mnisi could not immediately be reached for comment yesterday.

On June 2, the Sunday Times reported that assets worth billions belonging to Gaddafi were thought to be held by South African banks.

Saleh has reportedly been allowed to travel in and out of South Africa to attend the ANC’s centenary dinner in Mangaung and the Brics summit in Durban. — Sapa