Judge Willie Seriti
Picture: Sowetan

Chairman of the commission of inquiry into the arms deal Judge Willie Seriti is expected to make a statement Monday on the damaging allegations made by former senior investigator Mokgale Moabi, who questioned the integrity of the commission.

Commission spokesman William Baloyi said Sunday that Mr Moabi’s stature meant the claims he made in his letter of resignation, which was leaked to the media last week, had to be addressed. Mr Moabi is a respected Pretoria attorney and former acting judge.

Mr Baloyi said he believed the commission’s integrity was intact despite the allegations, although their effect on the commission could not be ignored.

Two advocates have warned that the credibility of the commission will be harmed if Judge Seriti does not deal with Mr Moabi’s allegations.

In his resignation letter, Mr Moabi said Judge Seriti had a "second agenda" that was at odds with the commission’s mandate to uncover the truth about the multibillion-rand arms contracts and that he could no longer be part of its work.

Mr Moabi said it appeared that unknown persons were dictating processes at the commission and that it secretly aimed to discredit witnesses called to testify in March.

Institute of Accountability in Southern Africa director Paul Hoffman SC Sunday urged Judge Seriti to deal comprehensively with the allegations, failing which his credibility would be "shot to pieces" and he would be forced to resign.

Advocate Johan Kruger, director of the Centre of Constitutional Rights of the FW de Klerk Foundation said if Mr Moabi’s allegations were true, the commission’s "integrity, as well as its ability to achieve its objectives is highly questionable".

"If the Seriti commission is to retain its credibility, it is essential that it should deal convincingly with the serious allegations. If it does not establish beyond any doubt the integrity of the chairperson and the transparency of the commission’s procedures, its final report and findings will do little to save anybody’s reputation *1."

With acknowledgement to Linda Ensor and Business Day. 

*1       That's hardly the point.

The point is to find out the truth and prosecute the accused. Throw the guilty naturals in prison for 15 to 25 years and the blacklist the juristics for 20 to 50 years.

Plus Terry the Lion Heart wants to send back 26 Gripens, 24 Hawks, four Mekos and three 209s back from whence they came and get R70 billion in return plus a 10% penalty as a remedy for bribery.

The point is not to save anybody’s reputation.

Except the reputation of the whistleblowers.

Now that is precious.

Some of us have been working on our reputation for over 13 years and there are some among us who want to shoot it down in 13 minutes on the witness stand.

That will not do.

It calls for measures.