This Day in History: 17 February 2006
On 17 February 2006 the Donen Commission of Inquiry was established by President Thabo Mbeki to probe alleged illicit activities of certain South African companies or individuals relating to the United Nations' Iraq oil-for-food programme. The commission was chaired by Advocate Michael Donen. According to reports, Mbeki turned down a request by the commission to extend the deadline for completion of the probe. The commission submitted its final report in September 2006.
On 23 August 2009, leaked versions of the commission report were first published in the media and created misconceptions about its true content. Deputy President Kgalema Mothlante, Human Settlement Minister, Tokyo Sexwale and the Deputy General of minerals and energy department Sandile Nogxina were mentioned in the document, suggesting they may have acted with impropriety. On 7 December 2011, President Jacob Zuma released the long awaited report. The Denon Commission of Inquiry found that no one whose name featured in their investigation had breached any South African law.
The Iraq oil-for-food programme was established in 1995 by UN to allow Iraq to trade oil in exchange for humanitarian aid without building up funds for military purposes.
