In the media
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26 November 2013
The Star
The authenticity of a draft Auditor-General report was questioned at the arms deal inquiry and use of the report blocked.
The draft report has previously been used by arms deal critics to point out how the then A-G’s report was apparently changed, allegedly to whitewash the A-G’s own investigation into the controversial 1999 arms deal.
The report didn’t get beyond a few minutes of dispute in yesterday’s public hearing of the commission.
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22 November 2013
City Press
Yet another postponement at the arms deal commission has raised questions as to whether the commission will finish its work by November next year at its current pace.
President Jacob Zuma extended the work of the commission by a year earlier this month.
This week alone there have been two adjournments.
On Tuesday, the hearings were adjourned to allow evidence leaders time to collate their documents. This is not the first time evidence leaders have requested extra time to work through documents that have been in the commission’s possession.
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22 November 2013
Sapa
The Seriti Commission of Inquiry adjourned on Thursday following a request by Lawyers for Human Rights, the commission said.
“The public hearings of the Arms Procurement Commission have been adjourned until Monday, November 25,” spokesman William Baloyi said in a statement.
Chairman Willie Seriti agreed to the request so that Lawyers for Human Rights could study documents for the cross-examination of Armscor manager Johan Odendaal.
Last Thursday, the commission said it would reduce its staff complement.
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8 November 2013
Mail & Guardian
In an unprecedented development at the arms deal commission, critics are stepping forward to cross-examine witnesses they believe have had an easy ride from legal teams. Author Paul Holden questioned a witness on October 21, amid fears those giving testimony were being allowed to deliver a one-sided narrative on behalf of government.
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7 November 2013
Mail & Guardian Online
The arms deal commission has come under fire again from a noted critic for its handling of government witnesses.
Dr Richard Young, a losing bidder to be a supplier in the arms procurement process and outspoken critic of the arms deal, has applied to cross-examine witnesses at the commission.
Young has locked horns with commission chairperson Judge Willie Seriti on when he will be allowed to conduct the examination and in which manner it will be done.
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4 March 2014
The Star
South Africa, soon to celebrate 20 years of freedom, owes much to its African neighbours for political and economic support during our anti-apartheid struggle. However, close historical relations have often not translated into considered bilateral co-operation with regard to our migration policies after 1994.
It is to South Africa’s economic and social detriment that we have not been able to strike the balance between our moral obligations, the contribution of skilled people to our economy and the challenge of overwhelming economic migration.
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4 November 2013
Sapa
Judgment was reserved by the Supreme Court of Appeal on Friday in the appeal hearing on South Africa’s obligation under international law to probe alleged atrocities by officials in Zimbabwe.
A full Bench heard there was no suggestion from any party that the South African police should go and investigate alleged crimes against humanity on Zimbabwean soil.
“Do an investigation here,” said Wim Trengove SC, for the Southern African Litigation Centre (SALC) .
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1 November 2013
The Sowetan
In September, an application was brought against the Limpopo provincial government and several departments, submitting that refugees and asylum seekers legally in the country were "entitled to trade and operate business to earn a living in circumstances where they had no other means of livelihood".
Foreign shopkeepers are taking their battle to run businesses freely in townships to the Supreme Court of Appeal, the Sowetan reported on Friday.
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1 November 2013
The Star
Migrant and refugee experts have warned that xenophobic violence in South Africa appears to be on the increase - this at a time when a high court has declared an Ekurhuleni township a disaster zone.
The Johannesburg High Court ordered in an October 16 ruling that the Ekurhuleni municipality address the plight of victims of xenophobic violence after Somali, Bangladeshi and Ethiopian communities in Duduza and surrounding townships suffered attacks between August and this month.
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27 October 2013
City Press
The arms deal commission has moved to sack eight of its lawyers because, sources say, they are not considered to be loyal to Judge Willie Seriti.
Eight staffers – two senior legal researchers, an assistant legal researcher, four legal practitioners and the head of legal research – were given letters on Thursday saying their contracts would not be renewed.
The commission says in its letter, which City Press has seen, that it is doing this to save money.
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