Publication: Cape Argus Issued: Date: 2007-02-17 Reporter: Moshoeshoe Monare

Mabandla Gets Tough in Suspects in Arms Deal Probe

 

Publication 

Cape Argus
Date

2007-02-17

Reporter

 Moshoeshoe Monare

Web Link

www.capeargus.co.za

 

Justice Minister Brigitte Mabandla says she will go to court if need be to force those implicated in arms deal corruption involving a UK company to co-operate with the British authorities.

She confirmed that South Africa was in touch with the British Serious Fraud Office, which is investigating BAE Systems for bribery allegations in securing a R30 billion arms contract to manufacture trainer jets.

Mabandla said yesterday that the British request came late last year and her department "interacted with the National Prosecuting Authority and currently we are in contact with this office in Britain". "We have been approached by the UK Serious Fraud Office, we are in touch with them and we have proposed the process that we think would be suitable," she said.

She said the government was co-operating with British authorities.

"Information must be required through the SAPS. If that fails then we should go through the magistrate's court as is usually the case."

With acknowledgement to Moshoeshoe Monare and Cape Argus.