Feinstein launches arms deal salvo

The Arms Procurement Commission is being slammed by some of the deal's fiercest critics.

Arms deal critics Andrew Feinstein, Hennie van Vuuren and Paul Holden say the commission drastically needs to improve its processes if its legitimacy is to be assured.

The activists, who say the commission into the multi-billion rand arms deal is fast becoming a farce, believe efforts to ensure the commission’s legitimacy are being thwarted.

Feinstein, a former ANC MP who resigned his job over government's handling of the arms deal, said the commission is falling far short of exposing the truth behind scandal.

“The whole way in which the commission has been set up has not been conducive to an open flow of information and significant public participation and that’s a shame,” says Feinstein.

The trio claim their efforts to take part in the probe have been scuppered by the commission's refusal to hand over vital documents needed for the cross examination of witnesses.

But the commission laughed off the allegations that it's blocking the involvement of the activists, and failing in its mandate.

The commission appealed for patience, saying the matter is being thoroughly investigated.

"Maybe the expectation from other people was that this was going to be an easy roller-coaster of a ride. Unfortunately if you want to do justice to this thing, you need to leave no stone unturned," said commission spokesperson William Baloyi.

The commission predicts it will only arrive at its findings by the middle of next year, provided there aren't any further delays. But some are sceptical that those findings will reveal the full truth behind the scandal that has dogged government for so many years.

"I doubt very much if we are really going to get value for money - but also credibility - in terms of the outcomes of what the commission will conclude and the recommendations thereof," said political analyst Shadrack Gutto.

Meanwhile, the commission was adjourned this week to allow an Armscor witness access to documents before he testifies. It's due to reconvene on Monday.