Seriti laments further delay in arms hearing

Ernest Mabuza

ARMS Procurement Commission chairman Judge Willie Seriti said yesterday he was disappointed at yet another delay in the commission's proceedings.

The evidence of Armscor project manager Frits Nortje was postponed until March 17 to allow the commission's evidence leaders to reach an agreement with arms-deal critic Dr Richard Young to produce the documents he needed to cross-examine Nortje.

Last week‚ Nortje refused to testify because Young had not produced the documents he intended to rely on for cross-examination. The commission then ordered Young to produce the documents to the commission by Monday afternoon.

Judge Seriti expressed his disappointment at yet another postponement.

"For how long are we going to accommodate Dr Young before we can have the evidence of Nortjé?" Seriti asked.

Nortje had been due to testify last year‚ but his testimony was postponed after Young requested and was granted permission to cross-examine him. Young then requested a number of documents from Nortje.

In attending to Young's requests‚ Nortje noted the level of detail with which Young referred to each document he requested.

Armscor's lawyers then requested the commission in December to compel Young to make a full discovery of all documents in his possession related to the arms deal. – BDlive