Mvuseni Ngubane

Two of the three advocates responsible for assessing evidence before the arms deal commission have been removed from the case. Apparently they are “no longer available to serve” for “reasons that cannot be disclosed”.

Both advocates, Vas Soni and Sthembiso Mdladla, were hand-picked by the commission’s chairperson, Judge Willie Seriti, only eight months ago. According to the Financial Mail, after a routine vetting process of the two, it was discovered that Soni had failed to disclose that, back in 2008, he had acted for Thint, the local subsidiary of French arms company Thales, in its legal tussle with the national director of public prosecutions.

This is but the latest in a series of very suspicious events involving changes to the commission’s personnel. First Judge Willem van der Merwe resigned, citing “personal reasons”. Then, two weeks ago, Mvuseni Ngubane, the commission’s secretary, was found dead in what “appeared to be a suicide”.

There are two months left before the July 30 deadline for members of the public to make submissions to the commission. With the removal of Soni and Mdladla, and finding a replacement for Ngubane, it is possible that the lack of continuity among the commission’s personnel could hamper its work.

[Source: News24]