South Africa’s multi-billion rand arms deal was challenged in the Cape High Court on Wednesday by a group which believes it can still be stopped.
The Economists Allied for Arms Reduction (Ecaar), represented by anti-arms activist Terry Crawford-Browne, applied to the court to have the deal scrapped, e-tv reported.
Crawford-Browne is challenging the finance minister’s decision to obtain loans from foreign banks without Parliament’s approval on the grounds that his action would have serious financial implications for the country. It would also affect its ability to provide social services for the poor.
Crawford-Browne claimed that if the arms deal programme went ahead the government would fail in its constitutional responsibilities.
Counsel for the government rejected this claim as ”purely hypothetical” and not based on any concrete evidence.
He further argued that Ecaar was not acting on behalf of the poor, said e-tv.
Counsel for the government also expressed doubt that the Cape High Court had jurisdiction in the matter, as the Cabinet decisions on the deal were taken in Pretoria. – Sapa