The government and the ANC on Monday both dismissed new allegations of irregularities around the multi-billion rand arms deal, including claims that the ruling party was bankrolled by a British arms company tendering in the deal.
The new allegations were reported in the London-based Guardian newspaper on Monday.
According to the report, BAE Systems paid a commission of 150-million pounds(about R1,85-billion) to secure the contract for the Hawk Fighter Jet. There were also allegations that more than 500 000 pounds (about R6,19-million) was paid to former defence minister, the late Joe Modise.
It is alleged that both sums of money could have ended up in the African National Congress’ coffers and was used for its 1999 election campaign.
Government spokesperson Joel Netshitenzhe described the claims as ”much ado about nothing”.
Britain’s trade secretary is quoted in the same report saying no irregularities were detected in the obligatory process that had to be followed to gain approval for the deal.
ANC spokesperson Steyn Speed said the ANC never received any payment from such quarters, and challenged anyone to prove otherwise.
The Democratic Alliance, however, said in a statement on Monday that the allegations ”must be probed as a matter of utmost importance”.
It also demanded that the government reveal the identity of the ”agent” who received the commission, and said President Thabo Mbeki ”bears a special responsibility to come clean … as he was the former chair of the Cabinet sub-committee that dealt with this procurement”.
Netshitenzhe said that there was no secret agent. The agent referred to should be seen in the light of a consultant, or broker, who, as ”normal practice” gets paid for brokering deals.
He pointed out that British trade secretary Patricia Hewitt had said in a answer to a parliamentary question by MP Simon Thomas on arms deal issues that ”due diligence procedures were followed and no irregularities were detected”.
Netshitenzhe said it was believed that BAE Systems would issue a statement on the allegations on Tuesday. The Guardian report said BEA Systems faced allegations of corruption all over the world. – Sapa
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