DA to give Public Protector documentary evidence of sniper rifle exports to Libya

The Democratic Alliance (DA) will hand over documentary evidence showing that sniper rifles, produced by Truvelo Armoury Manufactures (Pty) Ltd, were exported to Libya.
Earlier this year I alleged in a press statement that more than 100 sniper rifles and 50 000 rounds of ammunition had been exported to Libya in late 2010.

National Conventional Arms Committee chairperson Jeff Radebe has never admitted that sniper rifles were exported to Libya. The minister has stonewalled for more than seven months on the whole question of sniper rifle exports to Libya.

However, documentary evidence, located by Human Rights Watch in Libya, shows that sniper rifles were exported to that country. A document, dated 03 December 2009, reveals that, a company called Truvelo Armoury Manufactures (Pty) Ltd, exported:

• 5 Truvelo Sniper Rifles 5 CNS 7.62X51 Nato including magazine, bipod, silences and fitted with telescope;
• Magazines;
• Carry cases
•  Carry Bags;
• Cleaning Kits; and 
• Various manuals.

The document refers to the contents of box number 21 of a total of 28 boxes related to a contract (Contract No. 98/2009) between Gaser Ben Gasher based in Tripoli, Libya and Truvelo Armoury Manufactures (Pty) Ltd, based in Gauteng, South Africa.

This provides clear evidence that sniper rifles were exported to Muammer Gaddafi's regime in Libya. However, these sniper rifles are unlikely to be part of the consignment of 100 sniper rifles and 50 000 rounds of ammunition sold to Libya in late 2010. 

The sniper rifles, referred to in the document, were exported in 2009, either for sale or to be exhibited at arms shows in Libya.

The NCACC's 2009 annual report does not record any sales of conventional weapons to Libya. Whatever the case, the document shows that sniper rifles, produced by Truvelo Armoury Manufactures (Pty) Ltd, which is based in Gauteng, South Africa were exported to Libya.

Hopefully more details and documents will emerge over the next few months in Libya.

The DA will, therefore, hand over copies of the documents to Advocate Thuli Madonsela, who is already conducting an investigation into the possible illegal sale of sniper rifles to Libya.

We cannot sit back and allow conventional weapons such as sniper rifles to be exported to rogue regimes.

Statement issued by David Maynier MP, DA Shadow Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, September 20 2011

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