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The proclamation looking at the allegations leveled at the Social Welfare and Population Development MEC, Prince Gideon Zulu is expected to be released next week. The KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Mr. Lionel Mtshali revealed that the English version of the proposed proclamation has been prepared. He revealed that the draft proclamation was being translated to the other official languages in order to meet the constitutional requirements.

He said that the form that the investigation would take would be as prescribed in the KwaZulu-Natal Commission Act, 1999. "It will take the form of a quasi judicial commission. That is, it will have the attributes of a judicial commission. The commission shall have powers to subpoena any person in order to give evidence or to produce any document, which is in his or her possession.

With regards to who will be the leader of the Commission, the Premier had this to say, " The Premier may appoint a Commission of Inquiry, which shall consist of the Chairman as well as other members. The evidence will be led by the Commission and it will be a legally qualified person."

The Commission will be required to submit to the Premier within three months a report after commencing with inquiry. Should the Presiding Officer be unable to complete the inquiry within the prescribed time, an extension will be granted.

With regards to whether the findings would ever be made public, the Premier shall not later than 21 days after the report has been presented to him submit the report to the Legislature through the Speaker, who shall table such report and refer it to the relevant portfolio committee for consideration. He emphasized that consistent with the values which are embodied in our Constitution i.e. transparency and openness, the findings of the Commission will be made public.

Issued by Mahlathi Tembe, Cel: 082 377 6787

Issued by the Office of the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, 15 March 2000