President Jacob Zuma wants former chief justice Sandile Ngcobo to head the commission of inquiry into the arm deal, the Sunday Times reported.
The paper said it had learnt that Ngcobo was approached on Wednesday to head a commission to investigate allegations of wrongdoing in the Strategic Defence Procurement Packages, popularly known as the arms deal.
The move represents a stunning vindication for anti-corruption campaigner Terry Crawford-Browne, who has spent the past decade and all of his own money in a series of legal bids to have the contracts cancelled.
Crawford-Browne’s most recent court application formed the backdrop to the president’s decision, it appears.
In a surprise announcement on September 15 the presidency noted: “In 2009, legal proceedings were instituted in the Western Cape High Court asking the court to direct the president to appoint an independent judicial commission of inquiry into allegations of wrongdoing or to require him to reconsider his refusal to do so.
“It later transpired that the Western Cape High Court was the wrong forum to hear the matter. An application was then brought in the Constitutional Court. The matter is set down for hearing on November 17 2011.
“President Zuma assumed office when the matter was already pending in the courts of law. He had previously taken a view that since the matter was the subject of litigation in a court of law, he should allow the legal process to take its course.”
The announcement of Ngcobo’s appointment — and the terms of reference for the inquiry — were expected to be made this week, when Zuma returns from the United Nations General Assembly.
For more news on the arms deal visit our special report.
