National Arms Control Bill

Adv. Z.L. Madasa MP – ACDP

Tuesday, 20 August 2002


African Christian Democratic Party MP Adv. Z.L. Madasa gave the following speech in Parliament today during a debate on the National Arms Control Bill:

This debate takes place at an appropriate time against the background of the arms deal. The NCAC is the only hope for the nation to ensure transparency and accountability in an area of notoriously clandestine deals.

We have read in recent newspaper reports of our export of the decommissioned Puma helicopters to the UK. As I speak as a member of the committee for defence I am in the dark as to what procedures were followed in the disposal of these helicopters. Were proper approvals obtained? If they were was this done prior to the disposal or ex post facto?

At some point parliament must demand explanation as to why all arms deals always have a nexus with the so-called Luthuli trusts. Parliament must probe at some point as to what gave the beneficiaries of these trusts exclusive rights to arms deals and who these beneficiaries are?

This debate takes place against the background of arms exports ostensibly destined for Zambia but landing in the hands of enemies of our neighbors thereby resulting into strained relationships with our erstwhile close allies.

Despite the mist covering the arms deals in our own country one still encounters a situation where pressure is being put against what is seen by some as too much transparency and accountability. The executive cannot have its cake and eat it too. It cannot complain about false allegations of corruption in arms deals and at the same time try to maintain a veil of secrecy about this deals.

The NCAC is under the UN obligations to be transparent and accountable in arms deals. The NCAC is under obligation to be transparent and accountable under our constitution.

We accept the fact stated by the minister of Trade and Industry that SA needs to benefit from the arms industry like everyone else provided that there is free and fair competition in the business.

The ACDP will support this bill, as it is a step in the right direction albeit not completely satisfactory in all respects.


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For further comment please call Adv. Madasa at 083 302 4938 or ACDP Media Liaison Liza Bloemetje at 082 478 1037