NCACC minister chose to cover up

The Democratic Alliance (DA) believes that Jeff Radebe, Chairperson of the National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC), deliberately covered up embarrassing details about dodgy arms deals to some of the most repressive regimes in the world.

The minister had a choice: to open up or to cover up. It is a great pity that he chose to cover up. The minister refused to respond to any of the questions about the dodgy arms deals on the grounds that he was not prepared. This excuse is simply not credible. These revelations have now been in the press for over a month.

The public have a right to know how it was that we sold, attempted to sell or demonstrated and exhibited conventional arms in states such as Iran, Libya, Syria, North Korea and Zimbabwe, despite legislation aimed at ensuring that we do not trade in conventional arms with states engaged in repression, aggression and terrorism. The minister appears to be trying to hide this information from the public.

It is impossible to oversee and scrutinize the NCACC if members of the portfolio committee are simply stonewalled by the minister.

The DA will therefore approach Nyami Booi, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans, to schedule another meeting with the NCACC so that they are prepared and we can get to the bottom of the allegations about the dodgy arms deals.

Statement issued by David Maynier, MP, Democratic Alliance shadow minister of defence and military veterans, September 2 2009

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