Question NW156 to the Minister in the Presidency
24 February 2016 - NW156
Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister in the Presidency
(1)Whether, in light of various reports in the media quoting Cameroonian military sources who say that the Rapid Intervention Battalion (BIR) stationed in Cameroon is now operating Ratel 20s to counter terrorism, he can confirm whether any Ratel 20s were delivered to Cameroon; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, (2) whether the specified Ratel 20s were (a) sold to Cameroon or (b) transferred at no costs, in each case specifying (i) whether the prescribed procedures were followed and (ii) that no deviations were allowed?
Reply:
The quantity of Ratel Vehicles transferred to Cameroon in 2015, is 12. Past years for transaction in the Medium Term (up to 2013) were checked and it was found that no other transfers occurred in those years.
The Ratel Vehicles in question were sold to Cameroon and not transferred at a cost.
When these transactions are considered, they are evaluated in terms of Section 15 of the Act. The NCACC will authorize such transfers once satisfied that the transaction qualifies according to criteria as prescribed in the Act. The procedures were followed and there have been no deviations from the prescripts of the Act.
Furthermore, NCACC activities are subject to the Auditor-General (AG) of South Africa, who perform annual evaluations and assessments on qualitative aspects of the work undertaken, per given period. The past period performances of the NCACC by the AG in this regard, was found to be without qualification.