Payment to Nkobi significant

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has sought to increase pressure on the Scorpions to press forward its investigations into the arms deal by posing a number of pointed questions about recent developments to the National Director of Public Prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka.

The questions relate to various aspects of the R50bn arms procurement exercise and focus on the role and conduct of British arms company BAE Systems and its local agents, despite the company's vigorous denial that it did anything wrong during the procurement process.

DA spokeswoman Raenette Taljaard said disclosures in the British parliament about the role and conduct of BAE Systems and its agent in securing SA's Lead In Fighter Trainer contract had turned the spotlight on allegations of gifts and payments in the multibillion rand arms deal.

"While a British parliamentary committee continues to probe UK arms exports, SA's Scorpions must continue their probe," she said yesterday.

The export policies and practices of BAE Systems are currently being probed by a special committee of the House of Commons.

Taljaard said in view of recent press reports by the UK's Guardian newspaper, the DA believed it important to know whether the Airborne Trust, Richard Charter, Osprey Aerospace, and/or any other agents linked to the arms deal, were investigated in relation to the strategic defence procurement package.

She also asked Ngcuka whether certain questions were part of the joint investigation team's probe, a combined investigation by the Scorpions, the auditor-general and the public protector, asking whether answers could be provided by his office. These included:

Whether the allegations of election funding to the African National Congress (ANC), and of a payment to former defence minister Joe Modise, including the details of the bank transfers mentioned in the UK's Guardian newspaper, were investigated;

Whether any money was donated by Richard Charter, as BAE Systems' agent in SA and as chairman of the Airborne Trust, to any organ of the ANC, including its veterans association;

Whether BAE set up a £50000 scholarship fund for an ANC-appointed scholar to research ANC archives at Fort Hare University, and whether Charter met with Modise, his then deputy Ronnie Kasrils, and members of the National Assembly, to set up or finalise these activities;

Whether the Airborne Trust paid for Modise's travel to the UK, or for the travel arrangements of other government officials.

Whether these questions were part of the investigating team's investigation.

She said disclosure that Reserve Bank records showed a R500 000 deposit in late 1999 from Thomson CSF to Nkobi Investments was "significant".

She said disclosure that Reserve Bank records showed a R500 000 deposit in late 1999 from Thomson CSF to Nkobi Investments was "significant".

With acknowledgements to Tim Cohen and Business Day.

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Bursary to research ANC history awarded

http//www.dispatch.co.za/1998/05/07/southafrica/RESEARCH.HTM

Thursday, May 7, 1998

CAPE TOWN -- A three-year scholarship to research the African National Congress' history and stimulate other similar academic works was unveiled at a ceremony in Parliament yesterday.

Established by British Aerospace in partnership with the ANC archive at Fort Hare University, the scholarship was awarded to Mr Nhlanhla Ndebele, who completed an honours degree in political studies at the University of the Witwatersrand last year. He will research a thesis on The history of the ANC and its role in shaping South African and world history.

British Aerospace chairman Richard Charter said the award should be seen in the context of the company's long-term interest in the country, which went far beyond viewing South Africa as a market for its products.

"This project is a demonstration of our commitment to the creation of a rich and informative modern history for South Africa, and fits alongside other social investments being made by British Aerospace in South Africa."

The ceremony was attended by Education Minister Sibusiso Bengu, Defence Minister Joe Modise and his deputy, Mr Ronnie Kasrils, National Assembly Speaker Dr Frene Ginwala and several ANC MPs.

With acknowledgement to Sapa and Dispatch Online.