Arms Deal Investigation | NGOs want former judges investigated

JOHANNESBURG - Judgment has been reserved in the legal battle between a pair of retired judges and two civil society organisations.

Open Secrets and Shadow World Investigations are seeking a ruling that will hold former judges accountable, for misconduct during their time in office.

WATCH: Zuma arms deal case back in court

They want Judge Willie Seriti and Judge Hendrick Musi to appear before the Judicial Conduct Committee, to account for their failure to adequately investigate the 1999 Arms Deal.

But the retired judges are opposing the move.

Open Secrets Director Hennie van Vuuren said, "what we said as civil society organisations was that they refused to take into account key pieces of evidence that had been produced around the world, investigations into corruption on the arms deal, the narrative that they were trying to create is that the leadership, Thabo Mbeki, BAE, Thales, Jacob Zuma, should all effectively be cleared of corruption."

"It was a campaign led by very powerful people to ensure that they would not be held to account."

"The judges didn't call many of those companies or powerful politicians, Thabo Mbeki did go, but Jacob Zuma never appeared. Tony Yengeni was found guilty of corruption and never appeared before the commission."

"When people were called who were implicated they often asked the most softball questions, they were never pressed about allegations of corruption."

"In 2018 the South Gauteng High Court set aside the findings of the commission. They said these judges didn't do their work and we spent about R200-million at the time."

"It was a complete waste of time and the judges failed in their duty in investigating the arms deal."