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The Democratic Alliance (DA) believes that General Anwa Dramat, Head of the Directorate of Priority Crimes (the Hawks), must now re-open the investigation into the arms deal and investigate the claim that R24 million was transferred to a “South African consultant” by BAE Systems.

Yesterday Saab Chief Executive Officer Mr Hakan Buskhe issued a press statement admitting that an internal investigation had revealed:
approximately R24 million had been paid by BAE Systems to Sanip Pty Ltd;
the payments were then transferred from Sanip Pty Ltd to a “South African consultant”;
the transactions were never entered into the accounts of Sanip Pty Ltd; and
the payments took place without the knowledge of Saab.
The consultant who received the secret payments is reportedly Fana Hlongwana, who was an adviser to former Minister of Defence Joe Modise, and who was alleged to have received up to R200 million in “commissions” relating to the acquisition of 26 Gripen fighter jets from Saab/British Aerospace.

The information revealed by Mr Buskhe is very serious. It amounts to a prima facie case of bribery and/or corruption in respect of the arms deal and must be investigated.

If the payments were above board, why was it necessary to launder the money through Sanip Pty Ltd, a company which was reportedly set up by Saab/British Aerospace to manage the arms deal offsets?

The DA will therefore be writing to General Anwa Dramat, Head of the Hawks, to confirm that the Hawks will be investigating the R24 million payment reportedly made to Fana Hlongwana by BAE Systems.