Calls have been made to the South African government to lower regulations and inspections of arms exports following the suspension of R25bn worth of possible exports to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in November.
In a statement on Tuesday, trade union Solidarity said the current suspension of arms exports would lead clients to search for alternative sellers in other countries as buyers were reluctant to sign up to all the stringent requirements.
“The government’s uncompromising stance on this issue will inevitably lead to client countries withdrawing their business from South Africa,” said the trade union.
“Importing countries are reluctant to sign the certificate in its current format, which indicates a bleak future for further arms exports and job security in the industry.”
Some of the requirements stipulate that weapons importers must give their word that they will not transfer the weapons to third parties and they must allow for sight inspections by South African officials. However, according to Solidarity, the inspection clause in the contract is illegal.
South African weapon exports to Saudi Arabia and the UAE were halted amid accusations of third party weapon transfers to Yemeni allies and the refusal of inspections.
