Burst water pipe adjuorns arms commission

The Seriti Commission of Inquiry into the 1999 arms deal was adjourned on Monday because of burst water pipes, the commission said.

 

"The hearings of the arms procurement commission have been adjourned until tomorrow, Tuesday, due to burst water pipes in the Sammy Marks Conference [Centre]," spokesman William Baloyi said in a statement.

 

"We will await the city [Pretoria] to advise on the progress."

 

Last week, the commission heard that several government departments had played complementary roles in the strategic defence procurement package.

 

SA Air Force combat systems director Brig-Gen John Bayne said the focus of the SAAF team involved in the project had been limited to ensuring the procurement of competent aircraft. He said the final decision on procurement lay with the government.

 

Bayne said he did not take part in the procurement process at a decision-making level. The government acquired, among other things, 26 Gripen fighter aircraft and 24 Hawk lead-in fighter trainer aircraft for the SAAF as part of the arms deal.

 

The defence and military veterans department, arms procurement parastatal Armscor, and the National Treasury are expected to make presentations to the commission on the rationale behind the armaments acquisition.

 

President Jacob Zuma appointed the commission, chaired by Judge Willie Seriti, in 2011 to investigate alleged corruption in the 1999 multi-billion rand arms deal.

 

- Sapa