Not quite arm’s length for brothers in arms LOOK closely at the chain of events over the past few weeks at defence and aerospace parastatal Denel, which CEO Shaun Liebenberg will leave in favour of German listed arms company Rheinmetall Waffe Munition when his contract expires at the end of May.

First Denel announced that Liebenberg had nothing to do with discussions with Rheinmetall once it became known he intended joining it.

Then, a week later, it announced that Rheinmetall could take a majority stake in Denel Munitions.

Is it enough to be so near to negotiations over a major deal and then simply recuse oneself?

It all seems a bit too cosy for comfort.

With acknowledgements to Marcia Klein and The Times.