Will we see the end of the arms deal saga? Maybe it will succeed where the apartheid regime failed — in dividing the African National Congress (ANC).

To me the arms deal is synonymous with lies and more lies. What we know is just the tip of the iceberg. Otherwise why would the new ANC national executive committee commission want another probe, ANC to back Zuma with new arms deal “report” (January 9)?

This prompts the question, did the ANC lie to the nation about the real facts surrounding the arms deal ?

The worrying aspect of the latest investigation is that the missiles are aimed at the Union Buildings. One can easily deduce from Tuesday’s press briefing that President Thabo Mbeki is the target. Is this another fishing expedition or does someone have new information?

It is also disappointing that the arms deal and the conduct of the Scorpions are topping the agenda of the new ANC leadership. I was hoping service delivery would be their top priority!

The tone of Tuesday’s news conference suggests this year is going to be a hard and bruising one as the shadow cabinet (national working committee) reasserts its authority.

To be honest, I don’t expect much from the new leadership. Delivery is not part of their vocabulary. Some of them were and still are in senior government positions but have done nothing to improve the lives of the people. They failed to deliver in their portfolios.

Even ANC Youth League president Fikile Mbalula will concur that he could have done more to highlight the challenges facing the youth.

Maybe the arms deal is a smokescreen to deflect attention from their own shortcomings.

Unfortunately, the arms deal says more about the ANC than the individuals implicated. All in the party are tainted by association.

Dr Lucas Ntyintyane
Cresta

With acknowledgements to Dr Lucas Ntyintyane and Business Day.