Johannesburg - The Seriti Commission of Inquiry, which is looking at alleged corruption in the 1999 arms deal, is set to resume in Pretoria on Wednesday with Rear Admiral Robert Higgs expected to take the stand.
His testimony follows that of Rear Admiral Alan Green.
Green told the commission on Tuesday that the equipment acquired in the multi-billion-rand arms deal was critical to South Africa’s defence system.
He said the navy would not have been able to fulfil its mandate without that equipment.
“The benefits of having the equipment that we identified was that we would be able to execute the operations that we deemed fit,” he said.
“That would enable us to protect our people and their integrity.”
The equipment would also serve as a deterrent against South Africa’s aggressors.
Higgs is expected to give evidence on the purpose of the defence review, its roll-out, as well as its approval by Parliament.
He will also speak about the establishment of Project Optimum, its role and how the project was undertaken.
President Jacob Zuma appointed the commission in 2011 to investigate alleged corruption in the 1999 arms deal. - Sapa