Related articles: Judiciary under scrutiny. Arms Deal Commission 18 July 2014: Session 1. Kasrils to testify as Arms Deal Inquiry resumes:Friday 6 June 2014. Former Intelligence Minister Ronnie Kasrils(SABC) Former intelligence minister Ronnie Kasrils is expected to finally testify at the Seriti Commission of Inquiry into the Arms Deal in Pretoria on Friday morning. Kasrils was scheduled to testify in November, but the commission has been dogged by delays. The Commission on Thursday recalled former Secretary of Defence Lieutenant General Pierre Steyn back on the witness box for cross examination during its public hearings in Pretoria.
This is after Steyn in his evidence in chief criticised the Arms Deal process alleging that in his opinion the arms procurement process was irregular and unjustified. Allegations and counter-allegations around fairness in the Seriti Arms Procurement Commission have taken centre stage as the commission resumed in Pretoria on Thursday. Heated arguments irrupted before they could resume with the cross examination of Steyn. Woods implicates Modise in Arms Deal:Tuesday 2 September 2014. Former SCOPA Chair Gavin Woods(SABC) Former SCOPA chair and IFP MP Doctor Gavin Woods appearing before the Arms Procurement Commission armed with circumstantial evidence that was contained in more than 38 pages written statement as well as providing 208 pages annexure documents as his evidence in chief. Woods has implicated Joe Modise in the Arms deal. Modise was the Defence Minister at the time. Woods was SCOPA chair from 1999 until 2002, but resigned citing political pressure.
He earlier during his testimony before the Arms Procurement Commission implicated the late Defence Minister Joe Modise, accusing him of having benefiting from the proceeds of the arms deal. Lawyers representing former president Thabo Mbeki and government departments objected to Woods evidence which is mainly based on extracts from government committee, and newspaper cuttings. Advocate Jaap Cillies, Fana Hlongwane’s lawyer said, serious allegations were being made against certain individuals. Seriti Commission a cover up: Arms Deal critics:Thursday 28 August 2014. The hearing resumes next Tuesday with testimony from former SCOPA chair, Gavin Woods. (SABC) Three key witnesses at the hearing into the mutli-billion rand Arms Deal on Thursday called for the probe to be dissolved. Andrew Feinstein, Paul Holden and Hennie van Vuuren were scheduled to testify at the Seriti Commission but have withdrawn from proceedings.
The trio have called for an independent criminal probe. Van Vuuren says: "We believe that all allegations of corruption must be investigated and prosecuted without fear and favour. After careful consideration, with great disappointment we have decided to withdraw all participation in the Seriti Commission of Inquiry. " The trio wants an independent criminal probe.
Holden says “We were not direct participants in the Arms Deal. Feinstein says: "We believe in the rule of law and the primacy of the constitution, but cannot co-operate with an institution that is so deeply compromised that its primary outcome will be to cover-up the facts.” Arms Deal Commission Session 2, 11 June 2014. Hlongwane set to testify at Arms Deal inquiry:Monday 24 November 2014. The commission is currently holding public hearings into alleged corruption in the 1999 multi-billion rand arms procurement deal. (SABC) Fana Hlongwane, who served as an arms consultant and adviser to late Defence Minister Joe Modise, is set to testify before the Seriti Commission of Inquiry on Monday. According to the commission's website, Navy official Admiral Alan Green and Chief Director at the Department of Trade and Industry, Masizakhe Zimela would provide "supplementary evidence" in the morning. They will be followed by Hlongwane, who has been scheduled as this week's main witness.
The commission is currently holding public hearings into alleged corruption in the 1999 multi-billion rand arms procurement deal. At the time, the government acquired, among other hardware, 26 Gripen fighter aircraft and 24 Hawk lead-in fighter trainer aircraft for the air force, and frigates and submarines for the navy. No need for further arms deal probe: Govt:Friday 26 June 2015. The arms deal commission resumes on Monday with the closing arguments of the inter-ministerial committee that had oversight on the arms deal.
(SABC) There's no need to further investigate the 1999 arms deal after the Seriti Commission has concluded its probe and made recommendations. This was the submission of the Department of Defence in closing arguments on Friday. The hearing started with submissions by one of the bidding companies, Ferrostal. Cane submitted that there was nothing untoward with Cabinet and the executive playing a role in the arms acquisition. The commission resumes on Monday with the closing arguments of the inter-ministerial committee that had oversight on the arms deal. Related articles: Seriti Commission of Inquiry, by sabcnewsonline Click below for video:
Arms deal inquiry postponed after explosive document:Wednesday 4 March 2015. The hearing will continue on Thursday with testimony from arms deal whistle blower, Richard Young. (SABC) Arms deal losing bidder Richard Young's testimony will only be heard on Thursday. This comes after the Cape Town businessman and whistleblower presented the commission probing the multi-billion rand arms deal with documents in excess of a 1000 pages.
In a 200 page statement, Young discredits and challenges the testimony of previous witnesses, including that of former President Thabo Mbeki. Young’s involvement in the arms deal is two-fold. But when he lost the main contract, he turned to a whistleblower. The French company had close business dealings with Schabir Shaik.