Former ANC MP Andrew Feinstein yesterday asked how the truth about South Africa's 1999 R30-billion arms deal could be revealed if vital information was hidden from the public.
Feinstein spoke after Lawyers for Human Rights declined to cross-examine former trade and industry minister Alec Erwin at the Arms Procurement Commission hearings because documents central to his testimony had not been made available.
Lawyers for Human Rights represents Feinstein and arms deal researchers Hennie van Vuuren and Paul Holden.
Commission chairman Judge Willie Seriti yesterday excused Erwin and said no one wanted to cross-examine him.
But LHR attorney David Cote said his clients had wanted to cross-examine Erwin but to do so they needed access to crucial documents, including arms deal contracts.
"If the commission is to be successful in its mandate, these documents need to be brought to light and role-players made to answer to them," he said.
Earlier, evidence leader Barry Skinner SC told the commission that the "affordability report" had been declassified, but that there were problems with obtaining the contracts.
He said the contracts had not been marked "classified" but they contained provisions that certain information should be treated as confidential and divulged only with the permission of all signatories.
Anne-Marie de Vos SC, for LHR, said that to raise certain issues with Erwin she needed the contract documents.
Seriti suggested that De Vos continue the cross-examination while efforts were made to obtain the contracts.
De Vos declined, saying she refused to adopt a piecemeal approach to cross-examination.
Marumo Moerane, SC, for Erwin, said efforts to recall the former minister for cross-examination later would be strenuously opposed.
The commission continues on Monday.
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