After Polokwane - Is the End of the Arms Deal Saga in Sight?
Date: 2008-03-13 to Invalid date
Presented by The Book Lounge and the Corruption and Governance Programme, ISS Cape Town
The allegation of corruption surrounding the multi-billion rand South African arms deal continues almost ten years after the contracts were concluded. Investigations by State agencies and the media have fingered senior leaders in government and business. The fallout has proven divisive with the ruling party, leading to bruising battles between the institutions of state and fuelling public perceptions of political corruption. Following the ANC Polokwane conference power has shifted in Luthuli House with the ascendancy of Jacob Zuma as President, himself implicated in charges of corruption related to the arms deal. The ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) has also appointed a committee of senior leaders to produce a detailed and ‘factual report of the arms deal’. Concurrently foreign investigations continue in Germany, Sweden and the UK.
Are South Africans any closer to full and final disclosure of all impropriety in the arms deal? If there is political will to investigate and prosecute aspects of the arms deal, will this be used to settle political scores? What can South Africa learn from the arms deal saga if we are to promote ethics in public life? What are the implications of the arms deal saga for efforts to deal with secrecy and corruption in the global arms trade?
These and other issues will be tackled in discussion and debate with:
Andrew Feinstein, Author and former ANC MP. Andrew Feinstein was an ANC MP before resigning in protest at the party’s handling of the multibillion rand arms deal. He now writes, lectures and consults on public policy, continuing to undertake research on the international arms trade. His book ‘After the Party – A Personal and Political Journey inside the ANC’ was published in 2007.
Date: Thursday 13 March 2008
Time:12h00 – 14h00
Venue: The Book Lounge(Corner Buitenkant/Roeland Street)
Parking: Free Parking available at Fruit & Veg City on Roeland Street
RSVP: Wednesday 12 March; Ms Natashia Emmett; [email protected]; Tel (021) 461 7211
Please note: Limited seating available
