Well said, Professor Martin Lagassick "Ominous threat to our young democracy", (Cape Times, February 28). Our ANC politicians, once they savour the fancy houses and cars provided by the taxpayers, entirely forget their function and purpose.

They need reminding that they are there to serve the citizens of SA, in particular, the poor. They have no other purpose.

That Tony Yengeni seems likely to get away with a slap on the wrist both brings parliament into disrepute and insults the people of the townships. Perhaps Frene Ginwala will re-think the implications of her statement.

We now have Trevor Manuel who has also fallen prey to the disease of arrogance. You report him as saying : "Getting up and toyi-toying and saying 'Oh, you must provide full anti-retroviral treatment, blah, blah, blah without examining the costs and continuity - that's the easiest thing in the world. Been there, done that, many times."

Manuel and his colleagues were warned repeatedly about the economic irrationality and financial costs of the arms deal given the crises of poverty, including Aids.

Recklessly they went ahead and he, as minister of finance, signed the loan agreements that give effect to this shameful betrayal of the people of SA.

As revealed in the current issue of Noseweek magazine, the loan agreements between the British and SA governments have "sold the country down the river".

It's not surprising that Manuel doesn't want them revealed to the public or the courts. Will he plead, like one of his predecessors, that he had his eyes closed?

With acknowledgements to Terry Crawford-Browne and Cape Times.