The Democratic Alliance has sent a letter to Thint Holdings asking if the company met President Thabo Mbeki before the Arms Procurement contract was signed.

DA Public Accounts spokesman Eddie Trent said on Thursday that if a meeting took place between Mbeki and Thint Holdings (formerly Thompson-CSF), it would constitute a violation of accepted tender processes.

He said that on June 24, Thint Holdings issued a press statement strongly denying any wrongdoing on its part.

"However, the statement by Thint neither confirms nor denies *1 that such a meeting took place," he said, saying that it was a matter of national importance that the question was resolved.

With acknowledgement to Sapa.

*1 As good as a charming gallic admission as one can get that a meeting indeed took place :

BC-PR-ARMS-DEAL-THALES
PR-ARMS-DEAL-THALES
SAPA PR -- ARMS DEAL

Issued by: THINT Holdings
Attention: News Editors
For immediate release:
24 June 2005

Press Release

"The documents referred to were, as far as we know, only stating that there were no fundamental objections for our local subsidiary to bid at a later stage and, possibly, be a winner."