Just how important do you have to be to get a cheap car from the European Aeronautic Defence Space Company (EADS). These arms merchants, it turns out, have dished out cheap Mercs to about 30 individuals in SA in the past few years, most prominently (so far) ANC chief whip Tony Yengeni and his wife. 

The result? In the middle of great public disquiet about a huge arms deal in which EADS won defence department contracts, this large company is emerging as a bad apple, tainting anyone weak or craven enough to snuggle up to it.  

Why would an arms contractor sell anyone a cheap car? Why not sell its own products more cheaply? Business frequently complains about corruption in SA but what will it do about EADS? Organised business is far too quiet on the behaviour of its own.  

The 28 other names blessed with EADS' cars will no doubt soon be public and, like Yengeni, these people will face intense public scrutiny. Like Yengeni, they may rue their poor judgment.  

But EADS should not escape scrutiny either. On the Yengeni evidence alone, it has treated our country with no respect.  

EADS needs to appreciate just how low it is sinking in South African public esteem, and to do something about it. That means instant and full disclosure.  

To whom did it pass on cheap cars, why, at what price and at what rates of interest? At least in the case of the Yengenis, this disclosure then needs to be followed by an apology to all South Africans.  

With acknowledgment to Business Day.