ZUMA ASKED FOR JUDICIAL INVESTIGATION INTO CORRUPTION WITH ARMS DEAL
"The fact that a German company, Ferrostaal, had paid R330 million to obtain the contract for the delivery of submarines to South Africa , is further proof that an independent judicial commission should be appointed to investigate the arms deal," Mr. Pieter Groenewald (MP), chief spokesperson on Defence for the Freedom Front Plus says.
President Jacob Zuma's office had yesterday already received a letter from the Freedom Front Plus in which the party requested the president to appoint a commission of inquiry into the allegations of bribery by SAAB with the purchasing of the Gripen fighter jets. Saab acknowledged that R24 million was paid in bribes to individuals in South Africa through their former South African subsidiary, Sanip, which was controlled by BAE Systems.
"The arms deal has over time led to various allegations of bribery and corruption. For the first time bribery has been confirmed by one of the manufacturers. The arms deal does not only harm the image of the SANDF but also the whole of South Africa . The only solution is that for once and for all a final investigation is undertaken into the whole affair. Zuma is on record that he had said that the government is serious about the eradication of corruption and that it would not be tolerated. In the light of this I requested him to appoint a commission of inquiry, preferably a judicial commission, to investigate the matter. Finality about the affair could be obtained through such an investigation and the books could be closed on it," Mr. Pieter Groenewald (MP), chief spokesperson on Defence for the Freedom Front Plus said in his letter to president Zuma.
Groenewald also said that he is aware that the Directorate for Priority Crimes (Hawks) are currently following up on the allegations but that doubts have already been expressed as to whether the matter would proceed at all.
LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT:
04 August 2011
The President
Mr JG Zuma
Tuynhuys
CAPE TOWN
8000
Dear President
ARMS PROCUREMENT PROGRAMME - COMMISSION OF INQUIRY
The abovementioned issue has reference.
The arms procurement programme of the late 90's has since its start until now led to several repercussions of alleged corruption and bribery. I am aware that other investigations were done but in the mean time very important information has come to light. One of the manufacturers of the Gripen fighter jets, SAAB, has now publicly acknowledged that R24 million was paid as bribes to persons in South Africa through their former South African subsidiary, Sanip which is controlled by BAE Systems.
I am also aware that the Directorate for Priority Crimes (Hawks) is at present busy following-up on these allegations. Doubts have however already been expressed as to whether the case would progress further at all.
You as president are on record that you would have said that the government is serious about the eradicating of corruption and that it will not be tolerated. The arms deal is not only damaging the image of the SANDF but also that of the whole of South Africa . In my opinion the only real solution is that there will for once and for all be a final investigation about the whole arms deal programme.
In the light of this, I request you to appoint a commission of inquiry, preferably a judicial commission, to investigate this whole matter. Finality about the issue could be secured though such an investigation and the books can then be closed.
Your favourable consideration of this matter will be highly appreciated.
Thanking you in advance.
Respectfully
P.J GROENEWALD (LP)
Statement issued by Mr. Pieter Groenewald, FF Plus Spokesperson: Defence, August 5 2011
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