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The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the undertaking by Lieutenant-General Anwar Dramat that new information, which emerged as a result of a recent statement made by Mr Hakan Buskhe, the Chief Executive Officer of Saab, will be assessed by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks).
In a press statement, dated 16 June 2011, Mr Buskhe revealed that: 

• 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/BAE.

The DA immediately wrote to General Anwar Dramat, Head of the Hawks, requesting that the new information be investigated.

General Anwar Dramat replied, in a letter dated 20 June 2011, which stated the following: 

“I am aware of the recent disclosures made by SAAB’s Executive Officer, Mr Hakan Bushke. This information will be assessed by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation.”

The DA will now await the outcome of the assessment of the new information on the arms deal being undertaken by the Hawks.