The Democratic Alliance on Tuesday dismissed as disappointing a refusal by Hawks director Anwa Dramat to probe a report alleging improper payments by Ferrostaal to arms deal consultants because the document was confidential.
Dramat wrote to DA MP David Maynier that the report by business law firm Debevoise & Plimpton was marked privileged and confidential and “contains attorney-client communications”.
“There is no indication given that this privilege has been waived. As such the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation can neither have insight into, nor utilise the report for any purpose whatsoever,” he said.
The report was commissioned by Ferrostaal and forwarded by Maynier to Dramat, who questioned how the lawmaker obtained it.
“It is not clear from whom and on what basis you received the report. It is essential that the integrity of any documents forwarded to the police, is maintained,” he said.
Maynier suggested that Dramat make a formal request to Ferrostaal for a copy of the report, as as other documents allegedly detailing payments to consultants to German company that was contracted to supply submarines to South Africa.
“So far as I'm aware Ferrostaal are on record in the media stating that they will cooperate with investigators from South Africa.”
He added: “The arms deal was possibly the biggest corruption scandal in the history of South Africa. We cannot allow the truth about who took bribes and for what purpose to be swept under the carpet by the Hawks.”
The Hawks closed the last remaining investigations into the arms deal last year. - Sapa