Chairperson, thank you. the Minister is correct in pointing out that the NIPP performance review claims that 26 000 jobs were created by arms deal offsets, but on 9 March 1999 the Minister of Defence, Joe Modise, stood before this House and promised the creation of 65 000 jobs from the arms deal offsets. He did not stand here and promise that the offsets would create 26 000 jobs, which would then stimulate further economic activity and which would then encourage additional job creation.
Will the Minister admit, therefore, that the arms deal was sold to the South African public on the strength of a promise that has not been kept? If so, what steps will he take against defaulting contractors?