15 November 2001
The investigative team looking into the Strategic Arms Package Acquisition has now completed its work. In a comprehensive report that draws together the threads of a public and forensic audit, the investigating team make a number of specific findings and important recommendations.
The team's first, and probably its most important finding, is that no evidence of improper and/or unlawful conduct on the part of the government was found. The President and Cabinet are apportioned no blame. The report also lays to rest media speculations around the role of former Minister Joe Modise, about whom it also found no evidence of impropriety.
The acquisition policy that government evolved in the course of negotiating the strategic arms package is favourably evaluated by the investigators, who find that it " compares favourably with defence procurement policies in the United Kingdom and Australia.."(p.374)
After appraising the evidence, as well as arguments for and against, the investigators find themselves persuaded that in some instances strategic and political considerations were naturally among the factors that the cabinet had to take into account in making its decisions. Price alone cannot be the determining criterion, they conclude.
The recommendations the investigating team make begin with one for more effective controls, which should be strictly adhered to, to ensure fair processes. They also advise that specific rules be drawn up to address conflict of interest issues.
Arising, from this, the investigators also urge that guidelines relating to the selection of sub - contractors be strictly adhered to. And finally, they exhort parliament to consider legislating an exclusionary period, during which Ministers, Deputy Ministers and high - ranking officials involved in acquisitions, would be debarred from participating in enterprises that have benefited from such government contracts. It should be noted that cabinet decided at its July 2001 lekgotla to examine precisely such a line of action.
Though the ANC has not yet had time to study the report exhaustively, the findings and recommendations it contains vindicate our confidence that the government had proceeded in a manner consistent with its commitment to prevent corruption in its operations. The strategic Arms Package was not a decision taken lightly. It was not carelessly negotiated without due regard to the interests of South Africa and its people. The acquisition of modern arms and equipment for our armed forces is one of the grim necessities of the present - day international political environment. The priorities of national defence and those of social development are not alternatives. They have to be pursued in tandem.
The Speaker of the National Assembly has announced that she has referred various portions of the report to the relevant portfolio committees of Parliament. The investigations have now been completed.It is now the task of Parliament to examine the modalities of implementing the report's recommendations and co-operating with government to improve systems that help to obviate corruption.
In a puerile attempt to draw media attention to his party, Douglas Gibson, the Chief Whip of the Democratic Party, staged a melodramatic walkout from the investigating team's briefing session for Members of Parliament. It is unclear whether such behaviour adds any value to public discourse or merely betrays a propensity to behave like spoilt children on the part of some politicians.
The investigators have done the country a great service for which all South Africans should be grateful. The ANC congratulates them for a job well done.
For more info, contact Nomfanelo Kota at 082 570 5072 or nmayosi@org.za