PERHAPS it is just the school holidays, but many of those connected to the R43bn arms procurement deal seem to have gone to ground quicker than you could fill out a discount coupon.

SA National Defence Force chief Siphiwe Nyanda, recipient of a discounted vehicle via the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company, is apparently overseas on leave but definitely uncontactable.

The same applies to Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota. According to his spin doctor, he is in Malawi and has not yet seen fit, or been able, to discuss the issue with Nyanda.

Defence secretary January Masilela was initially said to be in Germany, but turns out to be on study leave. He too has not met Lekota since the revelations earlier in the week, so nobody's any the wiser on whether there will be any internal investigation into the circumstances of Nyanda's "Yengeni" discount.

Meanwhile, Nyanda's leave, originally scheduled to last "about two weeks", has been extended. He is now expected back in the office "about the end of the month".

This month, we hope.  

With acknowledgement to Business Day.