EFF statement on the outcome of the Seriti Commission

21 April 2016

The Economic Freedom Fighters reject the outcome of the Seriti Commission into the Arms Deal. Mr. Zuma has told the nation that the Commission has found no criminal wrongdoing on any person in respect of the Arms Deal. The EFF rejects this report as an attempt by the corrupt ANC government to whitewash the irrefutable acts of corruption involving companies that were awarded contracts as well as ANC officials, including Zuma himself.

Numerous Commissioners to the Seriti Commission had resign during course of the inquiry, alleging interference by Judge Seriti in their investigations and him denying them the right to re-examine witnesses. The farcical commission instituted by a corruption accused, Jacob Zuma, was never intended to uncover the truth about the controversial arms deal. This discredited commission follows in the footsteps of other laughable processes instituted by Zuma and those who work tirelessly to protect him from prosecution and any lawful attempts to hold him accountable, for example, the ad hoc committee on Nkandla corruption being the classic case.

It is inconceivable that after millions of taxpayers funds were spend on this Commission, that it could arrive at the conclusion that there was no “iota” of corruption in the arms deal. This conclusion flies against the the judgment by Judge Hillary Squires which convicted Shabir Shaik on charges of corruption relating to this arms deal. Shaik was convicted specifically for his incontrovertible corrupt relationship he had enjoyed with Jacob Zuma. Evidence present in the court to secure the conviction of Shaik revealed payment of bribes by Thales to Jacob Zuma, which were later used to initiate the construction of his Nkandla museum of corruption. The same Thales has been accused of paying the ANC bribes amount to €1 million through a cheque received by the then ANC Treasurer General Mendi Msimang. Furthermore, Tony Yengeni was convicted of fraud relating to the discount he received on a Mercedes Benz SUV from a company with interest in the arms deal.

BAE Systems which also was awarded contracts by the corrupt ANC government pleaded guilty to US and British authorities to paying bribes to secure contracts.

With all the evidence highlighting the criminal extent of the arms deal, the EFF cannot with good conscience take the report by the Seriti Commission seriously. It must be dismissed and rejected with the contempt it deserves. The South African public must rest assured the EFF government will ensure that the Arms deal corruption is decisively dealt with and that all criminals involved, including Zuma, are prosecuted and sent to jail where they belong.

We advise Jacob Zuma to take that report from the Seriti Commission and throw it in his firepool.

Issued by Mbuyiseni Quintin Ndlozi, National Spokesperson, EFF, 21 April 2016