This is despite the South African government’s pledge last year not to permit such sales to Zimbabwe. Justice Minister and chairperson of the committee, Jeff Radebe, said then that the government would not approve permits for the sale of weapons to countries with ‘political complications.’
The arms sale to Zimbabwe was between April and July this year, according to the report which has been extensively published in the South African media. During the same period, the South African government approved contracts to other countries worth R2.8 billion.
The NCACC report says contracts with 50 countries were signed, among them India, Gabon, the US and China. The report says the weapons sold to Zimbabwe fall mainly into the C category, consisting of support equipment like teargas.
In the last decade the US and the European Union imposed an arms embargo against the former ZANU PF ruling party, in response to Robert Mugabe’ serious violations of human rights. The police, headed by Augustine Chihuri, has on numerous occasions used teargas to disperse peaceful political rallies and meetings organised by the MDC led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.
With South African President Zuma the chief facilitator in Zimbabwe’s crisis, political analyst Dewa Mavhinga told us it was unusual for South Africa to also be selling arms to the country.
‘I think their impartiality will come under scrutiny considering the weapons have been used mainly to crackdown on MDC supporters. We are approaching a watershed election period in Zimbabwe and this is not the time to be selling arms to the country,’ Mavhinga said. SW Radio Africa
Post published in: News