Agencies to revisit arms deal

The Public Protector, the National Prosecuting Authority and the Auditor-General have previously found no instances of wrongdoing. The DA recently asked Public Protector Lawrence Mushwana to investigate new allegations of corruption that have surfaced. These include that former chief government negotiator Chippy Shaik had been paid to influence the awarding of an arms deal contract. Mushwana said they were conducting a preliminary investigation to check exactly what information authorities in the UK and Germany had pertaining to the arms deal. 'We want to see whether Chippy Shaik has anything to do with what the British are investigating.' Full SABC News report

SA was co-operating with the British authorities in its investigation of bribery allegations in securing a R30bn arms contract to manufacture trainer jets. According to a report on the IoL site, Justice Minister Brigitte Mabandla says she will go to court if need be to force those implicated in the arms deal corruption to co-operate with the British authorities. Her spokesperson Zolile Nqayi said the department 'will invoke the provision of the International Co-operation in Criminal Matters Act to compel the individuals and/or companies to be interviewed or give the required documents through our courts, should they refuse to participate voluntarily or refuse to provide information voluntarily to the British (authorities)'. Full report on the IoL site