Minister of Finance Trevor Manuel welcomes the Cape High Court decision to dismiss with costs an application brought by the Economists Allied for Arms Reduction (Ecaar) to overturn the government's arms acquisition programme. The decision confirms that the government has always been on solid ground with the arms procurement process. It further confirms that the attack by Ecaar's Terry Crawford-Browne is baseless and ill informed.
The court found the decision by cabinet to acquire the arms package valid and that Minister Manuel applied his mind when considering the financing of the arms acquisition, and consequently found his decision valid.
The Minister is pleased that the court dismissed the application with costs, as individuals like Terry Crawford-Browne should take responsibility for their actions and not expect the taxpayer to foot the bill.