STATEMENT BY PRINCE MANGOSUTHU BUTHELEZI MP 
PRESIDENT OF THE INKATHA FREEDOM PARTY
 

4th August 2008

I have noted that President Thabo Mbeki has flatly denied receiving a R30 million bribe to ensure that MAN Ferrostaal won the contract to supply three submarines.  

Whilst I personally have no reason not to take the President at his word, I am, however, concerned that there is a perception that the government and, by extension, the ruling-party, is tainted by systemic corruption.  

I therefore call upon the Presidency to crisply refute the allegations by placing all information it has pertaining to this matter in the public realm forthwith.  

If the arms deal is not to irrevocably corrode trust in the democratic process further, the Presidency must lay all the cards on the table and allow the arms deal to be subject to the forensic light of an independent judicial enquiry. In addition, the ruling-party must be totally transparent about all donations it has received to restore trust and credibility.  

I, for one, am of the view - shared by many - that South Africa could not afford the arms deal and that there were much greater pressing priorities such as the provision of a Basic Income Grant. The time has surely come to cancel the second tranche of the arms deal.  

On this note, the IFP also wishes to acknowledge the efforts of Parliamentarians and the media to unearth the circumstances surrounding the arms deals over the years, but I would like to appeal to my colleagues across the political spectrum from making knee-jerk reactions and for the media to act responsibly. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jon Cayzer, 084 555 7144
Secretary to Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi