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Arms Deal Timeline |
| Publication | iafrica.com |
| Date | 2001-11-15 |
| Web Link | www.iafrica.com |
1996-1998: Comprehensive review of South Africa's defence needs, involving, among others, Parliament, the public, and the military.
November 1998:
Cabinet announces preferred suppliers for the procurement of equipment for the SANDF.
September 1999:
Cabinet announces it will go ahead with purchase of aircraft, helicopters, corvettes and submarines at a cost of R29,9-billion over 12 years. Anonymous document, purportedly from concerned ANC MPs, raises questions about the proposed arms deal. PAC MP Patricia de Lille raises concerns in Parliament about the arms deal.
November 1999:
PAC MP Patricia de Lille hands over information to corruption buster Judge Willem Heath.
December 1999:
Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota signs arms deal.
January 2000:
Finance Minister Trevor Manuel signs loan totalling US4,8-billion to finance package.
September 2000:
Auditor-General releases a special report to Parliament.
November 2000:
Parliament's watchdog committee on public accounts (Scopa) calls for a multi-agency probe into the arms deal, also involving Judge Heath.
January 2001:
Fall-out among political parties in Scopa after ANC claims it never singled Heath out for inclusion in the probe. ANC reshuffles members on committee, demotes independent ANC MP Andrew Feinstein. President Thabo Mbeki excludes Heath from arms deal inquiry, ostensibly because of Constitutional Court judgment saying a judge cannot head the special investigating unit. Three Cabinet minister launch public attack on Scopa and accuse it of incompetence.
February 2001:
Auditor-General reports back to Scopa on investigation. Finance Minister Trevor Manuel rejects claims that the public was misled about the costs of the arms deal, which had risen to at least R43-billion.
March 2001:
Sunday Times publishes article about ANC Chief Whip Tony Yengeni and his luxury 4X4 vehicle received from a company with an interest in the arms deal.
April 2001:
National Director of Public Prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka says at least 24 individuals under investigation for alleged corruption and fraud in the arms deal.
May 2001:
De Lille questioned by the Scorpions in Cape Town about her claims of corruption. Three investigating agencies hold controversial public hearings into the deal.
June 2001:
Mbeki accepts Judge Heath's resignation as judge.
July 2001:
German investigators in Munich begin probe into European Aeronautic Defence and Space, one of the company's at the heart of the arms deal and alleged kickbacks.
August 2001:
ANC MP Andrew Feinstein quits citing the his party's handling of the arms deal as the reason for his resignation.
October 2001:
Yengeni arrested and released on R10 000 bail, along with suspended EADS head Michael Woerfel, on charges of corruption, fraud arising from the arms deal. New row erupts over the probe following claims that Cabinet members rejected some aspects of the Auditor-General's draft report. Scorpions raid various premises in France, Mauritius and Durban and confiscate documents relating to the deal, now standing at R66-billion, as rand continues to weaken.
Nov 2001:
Auditor-General Shauket Fakie submits forensic investigation report into the arms deal to Parliament
With acknowledgement to www.iafrica.com.