The heads of the three government agencies probing South Africa's multi-billion rand arms deal are to meet in Pretoria today, to evaluate the state of their investigation. "They will get together to consider how far the probe has progressed," says Nicolette Teichmann, spokesperson for Public Protector Selby Baqwa.

She says it is still not clear when the three agencies will submit a report on their findings. The initial target date was around the end of July.  

Baqwa, Bulelani Ngcuka, the National Director of Public Prosecutions and Shauket Fakie, the Auditor-General are probing between 40 and 50 allegations of wrongdoing in the arms deal. Their inquiry entails forensic investigations as well as public hearings before a panel comprising representatives from all three
agencies.

Teichmann says the hearings, which were adjourned yesterday, to August 14, are nearing their final phase.
"We might have the last one on August 14," she says.

Why the hearing was postponed

Baqwa, who chairs the presiding panel, said the postponement was necessary in order for forensic investigations to continue unhindered. Testifying, yesterday, Mosiuoa Lekota, the Defence Minister reiterated that MPs, including members of the standing committee on defence, were not part of decision making in the procurement process.

Such individuals, including former committee chairman Tony Yengeni, could not have influenced the process, Lekota said. Yengeni chaired the committee until he was appointed ANC Chief Whip in 1998.
Earlier in the year, newspaper reports claimed he had received a luxury vehicle as a "gift" from a company involved in the arms deal. Yengeni has denied any wrongdoing, saying he acquired the Mercedes Benz 4x4 vehicle legitimately.  

Defence Minister testifies 

Lekota told the hearing it could have been counter-productive to impose black empowerment conditions on contractors involved in the arms deal. It was realised that such conditions could later be used as an excuse for non performance. "This made it imperative for the government to abandon that area," he said.

Lekota said the idea had been raised of promoting black empowerment by imposing conditions in the way the primary arms suppliers awarded their subcontracts. However, this notion was soon discounted, and the government was not in any way involved in the selection of subcontractors. "That process was a step away from government. The issue of subcontractors had nothing to do with the executive," Lekota said.

Claims of wrongdoing in the arms deal mainly related to the awarding of subcontracts. 

In terms of the arms package, South Africa will acquire four corvettes, three submarines, 30 light utility helicopters, 24 Hawk lead-in fighter trainers and 28 Gripen advanced light fighter aircraft over the next few years.

Lekota said he was barely involved in the arms deal as he took office only about five months before the contracts were signed. But from the few meetings he participated in and documentation studied there was no evidence of wrongdoing, the minister said. "I am not aware of any irregularities that might have affected the
process."

Queried about the need for the arms package, Lekota said this arose from the perennial need of any nation to be able to defend itself. The equipment would not only be used for purposes of war, but also to protect the country's marine resources and to fulfil South Africa's international peacekeeping obligations. Lekota emphasised that defence spending was down from 4% of the national budget to less than 1,5%. The international average was between 1,5 and 2% .  

The purchase of the new defence equipment was also a long term investment, and would serve the country for many years. "Sometimes buying cheap is expensive. The investment will make the defence force efficient and equal to any situation for a long time to come," Lekota said. 

With acknowledgement to Sapa and SABC News.