KEY ARMS DEAL DOCUMENTS REMAIN HIDDEN FROM PUBLIC VIEW
Lawyers for Human Rights, on the instructions of Andrew Feinstein, Paul Holden and Hennie van Vuuren, on Tuesday was left with no option but to decline the opportunity to cross-examine former trade and industry minister Alec Erwin at the Arms Deal Commission due to lack of access to vital documents central to the witness's testimony.
Judge Willie Seriti excused Erwin, saying: "Thank you Mr Erwin, no-one wants to cross-examine you."
This does not accurately depict LHR's position in wishing to cross-examine Erwin.
"LHR is frustrated by this oversimplification and misrepresentation," said LHR's David Cote, "Our client's most definitely do wish to cross-examine Mr. Erwin and have made this abundantly clear but in order to do so, we require access to crucial documents, including the very contracts that the Arms Deal is based on."
Our refusal forms part of increasing frustrations around a lack of access to crucial documents related to the Seriti Commission of Inquiry into the multibillion rand Arms Deal.