Dear Sir,

The cease-fire campaign welcomes the parliamentary probe into the R30,3bn arms procurement deal. Since the first proposals were made, the cease-fire campaign has expressed its misgivings about the benefits and costs of this deal. It is becoming more and more evident that our misgivings were justified. We regret government did not disclose all the details of the deal, especially the huge secondary costs such as finance charges. We hope that when he makes his recommendations next month, Gavin Woods, chairman of the parliamentary committee on public accounts, will recommend a comprehensive audit of the alleged irregularities in the awarding of contracts to subcontractors for the provision of frigates, submarines, helicopters and jets.

It would also not be amiss for the public protector and the Heath anti-corruption unit to assist in the long overdue investigations. We recommend the suspension of all the contracts pending the outcome of an investigation into alleged nepotism and corruption. Given the estimated cost of R60bn for the procurement deal, the eventual cancellation would be in the interests of SA.

With acknowledgement to G. Govindjee and Business Day.