Democracy dies behind closed doors – Why we demand to know the truth about the Lady R arms shipment
- Challenging a secret commission of inquiry
On 05 June 2023 Open Secrets sent urgent correspondence to the South African Presidency requesting it to provide clarity on media reports that the independent inquiry into the Lady R arms shipment would take place in secret and without public access or engagement. In this letter we set out reasons why an open process is in the public interest and request a response by 07 June 2023.
- Challenging the US government to release evidence
On 02 June 2023 Open Secrets submitted Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to United States agencies who we believe should have information concerning the Lady R arms shipment to and from South Africa in December 2022. We have specifically requested access to information from the US State Department; Central Intelligence Agency (CIA); National Security Agency (NSA); and Defense Intelligence Agency. This letter was directed at US Ambassador Ruben Brigety who claimed to have evidence of a shipment of weapons from South Africa destined for Russia. Open Secrets believes that it is in the public interest that the US government and its embassy makes public such evidence given the overwhelming public interest in this matter,
