/ 7 November 2007

Mandela children’s fund ‘unaware’ of arms money

The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund is ”unaware” of having received any money from German arms manufacturer Thyssen-Krupp during the arms deal.

”Thus far, we are unaware of any transaction entry from Thyssen-Krupp,” fund CEO Sibongile Mkhabela wrote in a statement on Wednesday.

It will convene its board of trustees to establish the ”factuality” of Independent Democrats leader Patricia de Lille’s claims.

Speaking in the National Assembly on Tuesday, De Lille said the African National Congress and the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund benefited inappropriately from the arms deal.

”I can now confirm that on January 29 1999 the following organisations each received R500 000 from Thyssen-Krupp — African National Congress, Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, Community Development Foundation [CDF]. The money was paid into an account in Switzerland at Credit Swiss First Boston bank,” De Lille said.

Mkhabela hoped the meeting will shed more light on the matter and enable the fund to decide on an appropriate course of action. The fund is a public organisation that receives money in good faith from individuals and companies.

CDF chairperson Merle Falken, its trustees and director Beulah Fredericks ”categorically refute” the allegation.

”The CDF Western Cape and its trustees could … not have been involved or have received funds from the arms deal because the institution was not in existence in 1999,” said CDF financial officer Suzette le Roux in a statement.

The foundation was established in 2003. After changing its name and registering the trustees, it was formally launched on September 20 this year.

ANC chairperson Mosiuoa Lekota rejected De Lille’s allegations in the National Assembly on Tuesday. He said there had been allegations relating to the defence strategic package for a long time. The government had set up an investigation process to which De Lille had also been invited.

”Today she comes here, she makes an allegation that money was deposited into the account of the ANC. Is Ms De Lille saying that the ANC was paid money for the defence strategic package? Is that what you are saying?

”Because if that is what [De Lille] is saying, she must provide evidence as to where the money came from and who paid money into the ANC’s account and where the ANC made an agreement that it will get money from the strategic package.” — Sapa