SIU to probe alleged Saudi theft of missiles data

President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to investigate allegations that a major security breach at state arms company Denel may have led to the theft of classified and highly sensitive data about the company and SA’s missile capabilities. City Press says Ramaphosa signed a proclamation authorising the SIU to probe allegations that intellectual property for some of Denel’s highly sought-after missiles was stolen by current and former employees. The intellectual property was allegedly given to arms company Saudi Arabian Military Industries (Sami). At least two former Denel executives, who met Sami officials when they visited the company’s offices in Pretoria last year, are now employed there. Founded in May 2017, Sami is a defence products manufacturing company owned by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A senior Denel executive reportedly told City Press that as many as 20 engineers, with vast amounts of experience in the design and manufacture of missiles, have left Denel for Sami since last year. ‘The Saudis were interested in nothing but our missiles, which are among the most sophisticated in the world,’ added the manager.