1. A significant amount of work has been undertaken by a variety of researchers that provide new figures on the actual costs to date and the likely costs of the deal over the contract period. These figures suggest that the total cost to the South African taxpayer. including financing and maintenance, may well exceed R120 billion.
2. The quantum of bribes allegedly paid to secure contracts in the deal has also risen sharply. The UK's Serious Fraud Office is investigating £116 million of commissions paid by BAE Systems on the deal. This is up from the initial amount of £75 million that was under investigation. If one takes the normal practice in arms deals around the world, it can be assumed that about half of this amount will have found its way to officials, advisers, politicians and political parties.
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