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RAISING AWARENESS

Closing arguments: evidence leaders

The Arms Procurement Commission wrapped up at the end of June, after closing arguments had been presented by the interested parties that testified. In this three-part series, we summarise closing arguments from the evidence leaders, the government departments involved, and the arms dealers. Closing arguments: the government departments Closing arguments: the arms suppliers By Lee-Ann Read more >

RAISING AWARENESS

Investigator’s testimony fingers Zuma, Shaik

By Lee-Ann Alfreds President Jacob Zuma received “financial benefit” from the arms deal. And there was “prima facie” evidence of corruption involving the president and related to the deal, the Arms Procurement Commission heard last month. Testifying on 18 and 19 May before the enquiry which is investigating allegations of fraud and corruption in South Read more >

POLICY AND ADVOCACY

Civil society victory as Alderman steps down

Corruption Watch, with five other organisations, last week wrote an open letter to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to express disappointment that Richard Alderman would sit on the high-level advisory panel reviewing OECD efforts on bribery. Their voices did not go unheard – the Financial Times reports today that Alderman, a former Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Corruption in defence – a matter of life or death

Transparency International (TI) UK has released its 2015 defence companies anti-corruption index – the second edition. Building on the first index released in 2012, TI UK says that just 33% of defence companies improved the transparency and quality of their anti-corruption programmes – and two-thirds don’t make the grade. “Companies that have improved are taking Read more >

RAISING AWARENESS

Arms suppliers deny bribery and corruption

By Lee-Ann Alfreds A German arms company did not pay a bribe to arms acquisition chief Chippy Shaik to ensure they won the tender to supply four frigates to the South African Navy. Testifying before the Arms Procurement Commission, Klaus Wiercimok, senior in-house attorney for ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, denied the company had paid US$3-million to Read more >

RAISING AWARENESS

Young: fake prices, conflict of interest, and more

By Lee-Ann Alfreds Whistleblower Richard Young recalled in his second day on the stand the exact moment he realised the irregularities being perpetrated in the arms deal – the beginning of July 1998. Testifying at the Arms Procurement Commission which is investigating allegations of fraud and corruption in South Africa’s 1999, R71-billion deal, Young – Read more >

RAISING AWARENESS

Young confident of arms commission impact

By Lee-Ann Alfreds Richard Young is nothing if not dogged. For he has been like a dog with a bone in trying to shine a light on the goings-on in South Africa’s strategic defence procurement package, better known as the arms deal. His efforts to get to the truth include successfully suing the government for Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Hlongwane sings same tune as other witnesses

By Lee-Ann Alfreds He came, he spoke, he left. That was the sum of Fana Hlongwane’s eagerly-awaited appearance at the Arms Procurement Commission. In one of the shortest appearances on the stand, the middleman accused of pocketing hundreds of millions from the arms deal:   *  first tried to have the media banned from taking Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Arms deal’s Hlongwane to testify today

By Lee-Ann Alfreds Update: Fana Hlongwane did not show at the Seriti Commission yesterday. His lawyers are negotiating with evidence leaders for terms of his appearance – including a ban on cameras in the room. He has managed to remain in the shadows despite his vast wealth and powerful connections. But that is set to Read more >