Zuma: Arms deal inquiry will be transparent

President Jacob Zuma. Photo: Jacoline Prinsloo

President Jacob Zuma. Photo: Jacoline Prinsloo

Published Oct 3, 2011

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President Jacob Zuma on Monday said he would soon release further details on the arms deal commission of inquiry.

“We will release further details as soon as we have concluded the preparatory process,” said Zuma.

He was speaking during a business breakfast in Sandton on Monday morning organised by the New Age newspaper and SABC.

The session was organised to give the president the opportunity to update the country about the progress that Zuma's administration had made since the state of the nation address, at the start of the year.

Zuma recently announced he would set up a commission of inquiry into South Africa's controversial multi-million rand arms deal.

The commission's terms of reference still had to be released, and it was not yet known who would preside over inquiry.

Zuma said the commission of inquiry would be transparent.

“We are a country that believes in transparency. We decided to have the commission of inquiry because people have been raising questions for a long time,” he said.

He said people who have been calling for an investigation into the controversial arms deal should thank him for instituting the commission of inquiry.

Zuma also said that he did not know whether the Dalai Lama's South African visa would be approved.

“The department of international relations and co-operation is dealing with it. I don’t know what will be the final thing. I don’t think that you can get a definite answer from me,” said Zuma.

The City Press reported the Tibetan spiritual leader would be told on Monday, and he was unlikely to be granted a visa, in order not to displease relations with China according to an unnamed source in the department.

The Dalai Lama was invited to attend Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu's 80th birthday celebrations, to be held this coming weekend.

He had previously applied for a visa two years ago, but was refused one.

Zuma said it was unfair for people to ask him whether the Dalai Lama would be granted a visa or not.

“I don’t know whether I should answer this question because there are departments that are dealing with. How do I know?” - Sapa

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