Imposing black empowerment conditions on contractors in South Africa's defence package could have been counter-productive, Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota said on Tuesday.

It was realised that such conditions could later be used as an excuse for non-performance, Lekota said in Pretoria. "This made it imperative for the government to abandon that area." Lekota was testifying at the public hearings into South Africa's multi-billion rand arms deal.

He said the idea had been raised of promoting black empowerment by imposing conditions in the way the primary arms suppliers awarded their subcontracts.

But 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," Lekota said.

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

These and other allegations are being investigated by three government agencies - the Public Protector, the National Directorate of Public Prosecutions, and the Auditor-General's office.

Their inquiry entails forensic investigations as well as public hearings before a panel comprising representatives from all three agencies.

The arms deal provides for South Africa to 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.

In his testimony of about 45 minutes on Tuesday, Lekota said he was barely involved in the arms deal because 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 four percent of the national budget to less than 1,5 percent. The international average was between 1,5 and two percent.

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.

Public Protector Selby Baqwa, chairperson of the presiding panel, adjourned the hearings until August 14 in order for forensic investigations to continue unhindered.  

With acknowledgement to Sapa and Independent Online.