Selby Baqwa, the Public Protector, Bulelani Ngcuka, the National Director of Public Prosecutions and Shauket Fakie, the Auditor-General will later today brief MPs about the long-awaited forensic report into the controversial arms deal. Frene Ginwala, the National Assembly speaker received a copy of the 250 page report yesterday.

Fakie, who is leading the forensic investigation into the deal apparently assured Ginwala that only he and she had the final copy of the report. "The rest are in a sealed box. He is prepared to put his head on the block about it," she said in reply to concerns that the report had already been leaked.

Ginwala said it was the first time that the National Assembly chamber would be used as a venue for something other than sittings of the House and speeches by visiting Heads of State. "The three investigating heads will report to MPs at 1:30 pm and that will constitute the tabling."

Ginwala said it was very important that all MPs heard the findings from the investigators themselves. There would be no questions. The three would then brief the relevant parliamentary committees and would also hold a press conference at 3:30 pm.

SABC opens a can of worms

However, the SABC news reported yesterday, that according to the findings the government has been cleared of any "improper or unlawful conduct" in the arms deal. Those cleared included the president and Cabinet ministers.

The investigators said there were no grounds to suggest the government's contracting process was flawed, and their findings resulted from a lengthy criminal and forensic investigation. Chippy Shaik, the chief of arms procurement had neither received nor applied for proper military security clearance as required by law, according to the report.

The report also does not single Joe Modise, the former defence minister out for any wrongdoing, but says that after his retirement he become involved in a company that benefited from the arms deal.

On the financial aspects of the arms deal, the investigators reportedly downplayed the financial impact of the procurement, which was initially said to be R29 billion. The report acknowledges the cost has since escalated and that management and statutory costs were not factored into the deal when it was first presented to Cabinet. However, the report states that 'the decision about what the country can and cannot afford is ultimately one of political choice'.

Political parties speaks out

Meanwhile, it has emerged that at least six MPs from four political parties were served with subpoenas by the Scorpions on Monday, but these were revoked a day later. The subpoenas were withdrawn after Ginwala, raised concerns about the implications for parliamentary privilege and the fact that MPs were served in Parliament without her permission, chief whips from political parties were told yesterday.

Leonard McCarthy, the investigating director of the Scorpions, told Sapa none of the MPs who were subpoenaed were suspects in the arms probe. They had merely been called to explain to the investigating team their work on specific parliamentary committees. McCarthy confirmed the subpoenas were withdrawn because they were mistakenly issued. "Our officials erred in subpoenaing them through the Secretary of Parliament." Moreover, it was also Ngcuka's view that the subpoenas had not been necessary, as all the MPs had been prepared to co-operate, McCarthy said. Ginwala said the Secretary to Parliament could not give permission for MPs to be subpoenaed. However, it was ludicrous to claim she had the power to order that these were revoked.

She had spoken to Ngcuka on Tuesday to express concern that MPs had been asked to give information about parliament's proceedings, which were privileged. However, Ngcuka explained the investigators were in fact trying to find out what kind of offers may have been made to MPs by companies bidding for the deal.

Ginwala said she had assured Ngcuka that Parliament would co-operate and that after today's tabling of the report "we will look at how we can do so". Ginwala said she was not protecting MPs and had not told them they could not voluntarily appear before the Scorpions, which apparently they were all willing to do.

Dirk Bakker, an NNP MP, said he and his colleague Hennie Smit were among those subpoenaed to appear as witnesses. Bantu Holomisa, the UDM president yesterday said Ginwala's role in the revoked subpoenas, amounted to interference in the arms probe. "The curious part of it is that it involved Madam Speaker. What the hell has it got to do with her?"

However, Douglas Gibson, the DA Chief Whip said he believed Ginwala had acted correctly.

With acknowledgement to Sapa and SABC News.