Posts

RAISING AWARENESS

Young: fake prices, conflict of interest, and more

By Lee-Ann Alfreds Whistleblower Richard Young recalled in his second day on the stand the exact moment he realised the irregularities being perpetrated in the arms deal – the beginning of July 1998. Testifying at the Arms Procurement Commission which is investigating allegations of fraud and corruption in South Africa’s 1999, R71-billion deal, Young – Read more >

RAISING AWARENESS

Young confident of arms commission impact

By Lee-Ann Alfreds Richard Young is nothing if not dogged. For he has been like a dog with a bone in trying to shine a light on the goings-on in South Africa’s strategic defence procurement package, better known as the arms deal. His efforts to get to the truth include successfully suing the government for Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Arms deal commission, phase one – a summary

By Lee-Ann Alfreds Almost one year after the start of proceedings, the first phase of public hearings of the Arms Procurement Commission has drawn to a close. But little – if anything – new has been learnt of South Africa’s controversial 1999 arms deal which the commission has been tasked with investigating. “Nothing came to Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Not perfect, but commission can still produce results

By Lee-Ann Alfreds His appearance was greeted with fanfare and excitement after months of dry and technical testimony by largely-unknown flunkies and officials. But then, former trade and industry minister Alec Erwin came and went in the blink of an eye – and fears for the credibility of the Arms Procurement Commission went into overdrive. Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Fighting the good fight

By Lee-Ann Alfreds Their breadth of recall is mind-boggling. Dates, figures, names and irregularities that several official investigations have tried – unsuccessfully – to unravel for over 15 years, these are the details that arms deal activist Terry Crawford-Browne and whistleblower Richard Young readily have at their fingertips. It’s not surprising, though, as both have Read more >