OWN CORRESPONDENT, Cape Town | Tuesday
SOUTH Africa’s controversial purchase of more than R30bn of military equipment is to come under the spotlight after a parliamentary committee found that “improper influence” was probably exerted in the government’s choice of weapons suppliers.
An “independent and expert forensic investigation” is needed into claims against the purchase of equipment for the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), the standing committee on public accounts said. The Auditor General has already recommended that he conduct a forensic probe.
The investigation will include claims that the state misled the country about the cost of the arms, that counter-trade agreements were questionable and of “influence” around the choice of certain contractors.
South Africa’s independent anti-corruption bodies – some of which are already probing the deal – will be drawn into the investigation.
The cabinet announced in September 1999 that it would spend R29.9bn on the equipment. A year later, government said the cost was R43.8bn. This was because the cabinet’s initial announcement had “omitted to mention certain other cost implications,” the committee’s report complained, citing the fall in value of the rand, the cost of loan servicing and escalation in supplier prices.
On the shopping list are four navy corvettes from the German Frigate Consortium, with technology to be supplied by French company Thomson CSF and missiles by Aerospatiale, nine Gripen fighter jets and 12 Hawk fighter trainers from SAAB-British Aerospace, 30 light helicopters from Italian company Agusta, and three submarines from the German Submarine Consortium.
Another key area of concern was the “rather lax provisions for conflict of interests” in the tendering process, committee member Andre Feinstein said.
The committee also criticised as “generous” the cabinet’s announcement that counter-trade deals would see the creation of 65 000 jobs in South Africa.
It also noted questions over some of the deals, for example, over the costs of the Gripens and Hawks, “where there is a doubling of the basic unit prices.” – AFP