ThyssenKrupp, BAE, Thint, Mbeki, Swiss banks

The arms deal and the allegations of corrupt practices surrounding it are closing around Thabo Mbeki. Mbeki has long denied that there was anything untoward about the controversial multi billion rand deal, in spite of  jail sentences for Tony Yengeni and Shabir Shaik and ongoing attempts to nail Jacob Zuma for his alleged attempt to bribe French arms company Thompson-CSF.

 Old reports suggest that Mbeki used his influence to force through the selection of ThyssenKrupp as the provider of the navy's frigates at the cost of the Spanish company Barzan, whose offerings were cheaper, more appropriate to SA conditions and the choice of the navy itself. This report looks at allegations that Mbeki accepted a R100 - 120 million bribe, paid into a Swiss account, from ThyssenKrupp, by way of thanks.

Other allegations link Mbeki to the BAE backhander, in which the ANC is said to have been given R1.8 billion, half of which supposedly went to the party and half to 'the suits'. The controversial BAE deal was apparently settled between Mbeki and then PM John Major in 1995.

A third allegation ties Mbeki in with Thompson-CSF, although he denies holding (or remembering) any meetings with them. However, former SA Ambassador to France Barbara Masekela has admitted that she arranged a meeting between Mbeki and Thompson-CSF in Paris in December 1998.

The cabinet, the ANC party and the various state organisations at its beck and call have resolutely refused to provide a transparent investigation into the arms deal.  ANC Deputy Speaker Gwen Mahlangu went so far as to exclude a member of parliament from the house for having the temerity to suggest that the president could be involved in improper practices surrounding the arms deal.

Both the UK and the German Republic have asked the ANC government to aid them with their own investigations into corrupt practices by arms firms BAE and ThyssenKrupp respectively. South Africa has not acceded to these requests. 

So much for transparent and democratic government in the New SA.

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