South African military chief expresses worry

South African military chief expresses worry Peter La Franchi/Canberra

The Chief of the South African National Defence Force, General Siphiwe Nyanda has urged the South African Parliament's public accounts committee to expedite investigations into alleged corruption surrounding the nations' R43.8billion ($5.7 billion) defence re-armament package.

The investigations cover orders for nine (and 19 options) Saab/BAESystems Gripen fighters, 12 (and 12 options) BAE Systems Hawk lead-in fighter trainers and 30 Agusta 109 light utility helicopters. Also affected is the purchase of four MEKO 100 frigates and three submarines.

Gen Nyanda told an Australian Royal United Services Institute conference in Canberra last week that "We have an interest that we should get the equipment for the Navy and the Air Force".

"There are contracts signed and we want to get the equipment. We are concerned, of course, with the investigation that is taking place, but it is within the right and the authority of Parliament or the committee to have the chance to investigate. We can only hope that they conduct their investigations as speedily as possible and that they do not harm our effort to equip and modernise our armed forces," he says.

The South African Parliament's public accounts committee recommended a major review of the arms packages in a report tabled in late October. A multi-agency task force was established in the middle of November.

The investigation is examining allegations of undue influence in the awarding of prime contracts, alleged conflict of interest with financial benefits on the part of a number of South African acquisition officials, and unexplained cost escalations. The arms packages had been forecast to cost a total of R29.9 billion when orders were finalised last December.

The multi-agency investigation follows at least four other enquiries carried out over the past ten months by the South African Department of Health's Special Investigations Unit (SIU), the Department of Trade and Industry, the Auditor General and the Department of Defence. All the agencies are participating in the new inquiry.o

Source: Flight International