OWN CORRESPONDENT, Cape Town | Tuesday
THE Heath Special Investigating Unit intends to investigate South Africa’s controversial R32m arms deal after studying an Auditor-General’s report which highlighted several flaws in the procurement process.
If the Heath unit’s application for a proclamation to probe the deal is approved, it will become the third body to probe the deal. Public Protector Selby Baqwa and the Investigating Directorate: Serious Economic Offences are also looking into the matter.
The chairman of Parliament’s watchdog public accounts committee, Gavin Woods, said he was surprised at the timing of the unit’s application ahead of parliamentary hearings scheduled for this week.
“It’s a bit surprising that Judge [Willem] Heath has decided not to wait until Parliament finishes its investigations,” he said.
“He has a right to do so, but I think he should at least have waited to hear the recommendations of the committee.”
The public accounts committee met behind closed doors to prepare questions it wants to put to the defence department on aspects of the arms purchase.
Auditor-General Shauket Fakie’s report, which was released last month, highlighted deviations from generally-accepted arms procurement practices.
A Heath representative said the unit’s motivation for a presidential proclamation had been sent to the justice department.