DA still probing arms deals

2009-09-14 13:39

Cape Town - The DA has asked for another meeting with the National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC), saying Justice Minister Jeff Radebe had been "stonewalling" and "covering up" details about suspect arms deals.

Democratic Alliance MP David Maynier said on Monday he had written to Mnyamezeli Booi, the chairperson of the portfolio committee on defence and military veterans, requesting a further meeting with the NCACC.

"The fact is that the last portfolio committee meeting was a travesty with Jeff Radebe, chairperson of the NCACC, stonewalling and covering up details about suspect arms deals," Maynier said.

Maynier said he had requested a meeting with Radebe, the former chairperson of the NCACC, Sydney Mufamadi, officials from the directorate of the conventional arms control committee and officials from the office of the Auditor General.

Damaged SA's reputation

"It is imperative that Sydney Mufamadi be present at the meeting since most of the dodgy arms deals took place while he was chairperson of the NCACC."

Maynier said he had requested that the scope of the meeting include the conventional arms trade between 2004 and the present.

He has accused the government of approving arms sales to Libya, Syria, Venezuela, Zimbabwe and Iran.

"There is clearly something seriously wrong with our conventional arms control regime which in turn has damaged our reputation as a responsible member of the international community," Maynier said.

- SAPA