African National Congress Chief Whip Tony Yengeni faces a charge under the Corruption Act for receiving a R167,386 discount on  his luxury 4X4 vehicle from an employee of a company linked to the controversial multi-billion rand arms deal. 

This is the first high-profile arrest of a politician following months of investigations into alleged corruption in the arms deal. 

According to the charge sheet, Yengeni received the vehicle, with the intention "to use his power or exercise his influence to influence the arms acquisitions process in favour of Daimler-Benz Aerospace AG or DaimlerChrysler Aerospace AG".  

He was also expected to facilitate introductions between his co-accused Michael Woerfel, now president of the European Aeronautics Defence Systems (EADS), and other roleplayers in the arms deal.

Yengeni also faces charges of defrauding the company, as he is alleged to have pretended he would use his influence "when he had no intention to use his power or exercise his influence in that way".  

He faces a further charge of statutory perjury in that on June 29 this year, he gave false evidence when he was summoned to appear  before the Investigating Director of Special Operations, who is investigating corruption allegations regarding the arms deal.

Yengeni is alleged to have said that the price of the vehicle was R230,052, but that the vehicle was damaged which had resulted in  him receiving a discount.  He also claimed he paid a deposit of R50,000.

However, the prosecution claims that he paid R182,563, that the vehicle was not damaged and that no deposit was paid.

Yengeni and Woerfel - who also faces a charge of corruption - have also been charged with forgery.

Woerfel, who was previously the President of the Daimler-Benz's Southern African branch, was appointed managing director of the company in December 1998 and in September 12 last year he was made EADS' managing director.

The State argues that in October 1998 and June 1997 in Pretoria,  they falsely, and with the intent to defraud and to the prejudice of Daimler-Benz Aerospace AG, the South African Parliament and the South African government, "forged a document in writing to wit an agreement of sale in respect of a Mercedes Benz ML320".  

Yengeni earlier on Wednesday handed himself to the Scorpions in the Western Cape after a warrant of arrest was issued.

He appeared briefly in the Cape Town Magistrate?s Court and was granted R10,000 bail.

Yengeni must appear before the Specialised Commercial Crime Court at 8.30am in Pretoria on January 25.

He also has to alert authorities should he wish to leave the country.

The Magistrate's Court ruled that if he failed to abide by this, he would re-rearrested and held in custody.

With acknowledgement to the Sunday Times, Gordon Bell and Angela Quintal.