update
17 February 2009
Parliament's Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) is seeking an
update on the resolutions tabled in the National Assembly in 2001, following
the forensic investigation into allegations of corruption relating to the
multimillion rand arms-procurement process commonly known as the "arms deal".
This emerged at a four-hour meeting on Tuesday, 17 February.
Scopa Chairperson Mr Themba Godi, said the Committee was continuing its
interaction with relevant departments and state-owned enterprises to monitor
how the recommendations of the Joint Investigation Task (JIT) Team on the
Strategic Defence Procurement Packages were being implemented.
Financial disclosure framework
The JIT recommended that the Department of Public Service and Administration
(DPSA) develop mechanisms to ensure the declaration of interests by senior
officials of government departments and state institutions.
The DPSA reported to the Committee that it had developed a financial
disclosure framework for all senior officials in national and provincial
departments. "In addition the department has developed a draft Conflict of
Interest Framework for the Public Service," said the Director-General Professor
Richard Levin in a response letter to SCOPA.
Nothing hidden, says Willie
Acting National Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Mokotedi Mpshe and
Armscor CEO Mr Sipho Thomo also made presentations before the Committee.
Advocate Mpshe and his colleague, Mr Willie Hofmeyer (the head of Assets
Forfeiture Unit) dismissed comments by Scopa member Ms Patricia de Lille that
the NPA has been sitting with evidence on the arms deal without investigating
because of political interference.
Better handling, next time
"Chairperson, I don't think there has been any political interference to
stop investigations by NPA," Hofmeyer told the Committee.
A senior official from the Department of Trade and Industry responsible for
National Industrial Participation Programme (NIPP) Mr Sipho Zikode told the
Committee that they have learnt an important lesson from the arms deal. "Next
time when there is a big deal we'll have to handle it better," he said.
Issued by: Parliament of South Africa
17 February 2009
Source: Parliament of South Africa (http://www.parliament.gov.za)
