Chairperson, the arms deal saga hangs like an albatross around the neck of the ANC - that is how it will stay! [Interjections.]
The rearguard action by the ANC comes on top of the new evidence given by Anwar Dramat to Scopa that high-ranking politicians and shady businessmen had pocketed about R480 million from the R43 billion arms deal. According to Dramat, R300 million in kickbacks might have been paid for the British Aerospace Electronic Systems contract and R180 million by the German frigate consortium.
These bribes would have been paid to secure contracts for the supply of fighter aircrafts and naval vessels. The fact that the Hawks have 460 boxes of documentary evidence, as well as 4,7 million computer-generated documents, shouldn't be a problem. The Hawks should use data mining software and new technology to identify the wrongdoers.
The issue of time, money and manpower raised by Dramat is outrageous. Corruption has been institutionalised in the ANC - this is common cause. That is why it continues to frustrate the arms deal investigation. This is why it pressurises its MPs in Scopa to follow instructions. It all points to the rottenness of the core of this government which, if allowed to fester, will destroy our democracy and our society. [Time expired.] [Applause.]