The Standing Committee on Public Accounts is expected to elect a ruling African National Congress MP as acting chairperson of the committee today - providing the committee with breathing space to elect an opposition MP as chairperson.

This follows the resignation of Dr Gavin Woods, Inkatha Freedom Party MP who cited irreconcilable differences with the ANC majority on the committee as reason for leaving.

The IFP is, apparently, engaged in internal debates about whether it can morally justify giving the post to another MP within their party given the strong stance that Woods has taken on the failure of the committee to fight possible corruption particularly in relation to the arms deal.

One possibility is that Vincent Smith, ANC leader on the committee, will be elected as acting chairperson.

There has been speculation that Peter Smith, an IFP MP, will replace Woods - but Smith at present is not a member of the Standing Committee - which is the watchdog committee on public spending.

It is traditional in Commonwealth democracies for the watchdog committee to be led by an opposition MP to underscore accountability.