Pretoria | Tuesday
SOUTH African Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota suspended his acquisitions chief, Chippy Shaik, on Monday following allegations that he had disclosed classified information. Lekota told reporters however that the allegations did not relate to a probe into alleged corruption in a 5,5-billion-dollar arms acquisition deal, or to Shaik’s brother Schabir Shaik, who has interests in defence contractors and who was charged on Friday with the theft of classified documents, including cabinet minutes.
The minister said Chippy Shaik allegedly disclosed classified documents to members of the public between October 1 and November 1 this year.
“He is to be immediately removed from the premises and will not be allowed to enter any military installation or the headquarters of the Department of Defence,” Lekota said.
He added that Shaik would remain on full pay while the charges were probed.
The inquiry into the arms deal found there had been a conflict of interest in Shaik’s role in the procurement of the strategic arms package, which includes corvettes, submarines and aircraft.
This arose from the shareholding of his brother Schabir in the French Thomson-CSF group (now Thales) and South African-based African Defence Systems.
Both companies were chosen to supply combat systems for four patrol boats South Africa has ordered from the German Frigate Company. – AFP
Special Report:
Mbeki thought to have used apartheid legislation to vet investigators’ report November 16, 2001
Chippy Shaik blasted in arms report November 16, 2001
The arms deal in a nutshell November 16, 2001
FEATURES:
Overlooked bidders wait eagerly November 12, 2001
We are at the crossroads July 11, 2001
Feisty Frene under fire May 30, 2001
Watchdogs that bark, not bite Feb 14, 2001
Arms probe: ANC MP will fight February 5, 2001
ANC’s Mr Clean throws in towel August 31, 2001
Benz man won arms bid March 30, 2001
Yengeni has little to fear from the law March 30, 2001
ZA*NOW:
Arms deal report may blow up in govt’s face November 9, 2001
Defence chief says his conscience is clear July 18, 2001
Yengeni cries racism, McCarthyism July 16, 2001
Tony keeps his wheels, for now … May 13, 2001
ANC puts party before democracy February 6, 2001
Arms probe? Off with your head! January 31, 2001
Stench of corruption lingers as MP axed January 30, 2001
Govt looks into arms-for-Mercs deals July 4, 2001
SANDF chief took car in arms deal June 25, 2001
‘Two fingers’ Tony stands firm May 9, 2001
Yengeni summonsed to explain assets April 20, 2001
ANC draws veil over Yengeni affair April 14, 2001
So who else got a new Merc? April 9, 2001
New evidence of arms skulduggery April 2, 2001
German engineering … where you need it most April 8, 2001
Tony comes out swinging April 1, 2001
Reluctant Yengeni protests innocence March 29, 2001
Tony, youre on your own March 27, 2001
Yo, Tony, whered you get the 4×4? March 26, 2001
Yengenis mysterious Merc March 25, 2001