Earlier the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) asked why a South African company has been an integral part of setting up a factory to manufacture ammunition for a number of different weapons in Saudi Arabia.
Quoting the Saudi News Agency the party’s shadow defence minister, Kobus Marais, asked parliament why South Africa has partnered with Saudi in the production of weapons and armaments. The party responded to a story published by defenceWeb on the Saudi munitions factory opening on 4 April . The publication said Zuma was present at the opening.
Marais wants Parliament to be briefed by Defence and Military Veterans Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula on why neither Parliament nor the National Treasury was advised on “a new arms merger” between South Africa and Saudi Arabia. He also wants her to tell the country which countries, besides Saudi, will use armaments produced by the factory, built by Saudi’s Military Industries Corporation in conjunction with Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM).
The Presidency on Friday confirmed the Military Industries Corporation facilities is operated by Rheinmetall Denel Munition, in which South Africa’s Denel holds a 49% stake.
The Deputy Crown Prince is also the Minister of Defence of Saudi Arabia.
“The visit sought to promote South Africa’s defence military industry and strengthen areas of cooperation in the field of defence procurement partnership between South Africa and Saudi Arabia.
“During the visit, the President and the Crown Prince symbolically unveiled a plaque of the military facility, met with and took photographs with personnel and senior management of the Rheinmetall Denel Munition and the South African staff who are bringing expertise to the military factory,” said the Presidency.
