An opinion survey by SA's leading pollster, Professor Lawrence Schlemmer, found last year that 62 % of ANC voters want the arms deal cancelled, 19 % want it cut and only 12 % support it.

On no other issue, including Aids, has the government found to be so far out of touch with the electorate.

Opposition of the arms deal by churches, trade unions, NGOs and other civil organisations confirm the survey is a realistic reflection of public opinion.

President Thabo Mbeki's attempts to introduce the race card into the arms deal saga - now parroted by your correspondent Ben Halu (June 18) - demean both himself and the office he holds.

Halu, writing from the KTC squatter camp, would do well to ponder why he is still living in such conditions.

Economic choices have to be made. Jobs, housing, education, health services - or the arms deal?

The cost of fuel for one Bae/Saab Gripen fighter aircraft of $2 500 for one hour alone could build a R20 000 house for Halu and his family. And the Minister of Health declares, absurdly, that there is no money for Aids because SA must buy submarines for protection against the Americans.

The arms deal was a government-to-government deal to benefit arms trade lobbyists in Britain, Sweden and Germany. The Germans would get the navy contracts, and the British and Swedes the aircraft contracts.

The European armaments industry is notoriously corrupt. So if race has anything to do with this sorry saga, it is Europeans rather than Africans who are the more guilty party.

Now, civil society opposition to the arms deal is being echoed even in the senior ranks of the military.

The SANDF, parliament has been informed, is being financially paralysed by the costs of buying warships the SA Navy can't use and warplanes the SA Air Force doesn't want.

With acknowledgements to Terry Crawford-Browne and the Cape Times.