Programme News
27 November 2013
(News)
Seriti rules out use of AG report at arms deal inquiry
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...
26 November 2013
(News)
The Seriti Commission of Inquiry has been adjourned until January next year, the commission said on Monday.
"The chairperson, Judge [Willie] Seriti, adjourned the hearings after the evidence leaders indicated that consultations with witnesses are still ongoing and the next witness from Armscor will be ready and available in the new year," spokesman William Baloyi said in a statement...
22 November 2013
(News)
The Arms Procurement Commission has failed to renew the contracts of its internal legal team tasked with the next phase of identifying those criminally liable in the arms deal investigation.
The move by the commission to axe six skilled legal staffers who would have undertaken this critical phase has dented its credibility, say former team members.
This phase of the commission would identify who...
22 November 2013
(News)
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...
22 November 2013
(News)
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...
20 November 2013
(News)
Louise Flanagan covers the arms deal inquiry for the The Star - and is now really angry.
At the arms deal deal inquiry, transparency may be the motto but secrecy is the game. The Arms Procurement Commission’s ongoing hearings may be public but much of the information is still hidden.
Since the start of the hearings in August, The Star has struggled to get documents relating to the...
20 November 2013
(Press release)
Lawyers for Human Rights have grown increasingly concerned by delays and adjournments at the Arms Procurement Commission.
Hearings were again adjourned yesterday, 19 November 2013, to allow evidence leaders time to collate their documents. No reason was given as to why evidence leaders were only given the documents they needed this morning to begin their witness’s testimony, nor why they...
8 November 2013
(News)
The second civilian given permission to cross-examine witnesses before the arms deal commission says their testimony risks being "perjury by omission" because he has been forbidden from asking them important questions.
Richard Young, a losing bidder in the arms procurement process and an outspoken critic of the deal, has applied to cross-examine a witness at the commission.
This week...
8 November 2013
(News)
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.
It was an abrasive encounter, with the commission and its...
7 November 2013
(News)
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...