Cabinet rejects arms-deal speculation

Media speculation that a lack of cooperation on the part of the South African government scotched a German investigation of the arms deal is false, government communications head Themba Maseko said on Wednesday.

Briefing journalists in Cape Town after Cabinet’s fortnightly meeting, he said a special media briefing would be held soon to present proof of this.

“Cabinet noted the recent decision of the German prosecutors not to proceed with the investigations of German companies for their alleged involvement in irregularities regarding the arms deal.

“Cabinet is concerned about continued speculation in some media which continues to insinuate that the decision of the German prosecutors was due to non-cooperation by the South African authorities.

“We reject this insinuation completely,” he said.—Sapa