Not Again! Ceasefire says scrap the procurement of Airbus

Press Release

16 October 2009

With violent protests taking place almost on a weekly basis because of lack of service delivery and human security, the Ceasefire Campaign finds it  scandalous that the South African tax-payer will have to pay R47 billion for eight Airbus A400 military transport aircraft. Have the arms procurement “experts” learned nothing from the previous R60 billion wasteful and excessively expensive arms deal?  Here we have the clearest reason for not only firing Sipho Thomo and his team of “experts” who are incapable of negotiating contracts, but also for closing down the cash- guzzling Armscor.

Ceasefire believes that even the original price of R17 billion is questionable given that it is doubtful that these aircraft are needed. Although some may argue that we need them for the country’s involvement in peace missions, they should think again and ask themselves if that is justification for aircraft that will not be constantly in use.

At a time when we face a recession and Trevor Manuel is calling for belt-tightening, Armscor appears to be uncaring and insensitive about plunging South Africa into greater debt and placing an unbearably heavy burden on the taxpayer.

The Ceasefire Campaign joins those voices calling for immediate government intervention to scrap the deal.  And those responsible for agreeing to this bad deal at Armscor should not be allowed impunity, but be investigated, discipline and, where appropriate, summarily dismissed.

Contacts:

• Guni Govindjee 079 310 7437,
• Rob Thomson 011 646 5332,
• Laura Pollecutt 082 092 3849