Cape Town - The contents of the highly secretive report about the government's arms deal involving more than R66 billion, leaked out on Wednesday.

During a day of political drama, parliament's Speaker Frene Ginwala intervened to prevent the Scorpions subpoenaing various members of parliament to testify.

The SABC reported on Wednesday night that the Cabinet would apparently be absolved of all blame, but there were questions surrounding the actions of a number of officials in security circles.

The approximately 250-page report will be read to members of parliament on Thursday by Selby Baqwa, the public protector, Bulelani Ngcuka, the national director of public prosecutions, and Shauket Fakie, the auditor-general.

In an unprecedented step, all members of parliament will be addressed by these three leading law enforcers, regarding the controversial arms deal process, which has led to, among other things, the court appearance and subsequently the resignation of the ANC's chief whip, Tony Yengeni.

According to SABC reports, the government has been cleared of any "improper or unlawful actions" in the arms deal.

According to the report, there are apparently no grounds to regard the contract process as faulty, but problems arose with the awarding of sub-contracts, especially with regard to conflicts of interest.

Shaik did not have security clearance

One incident, however, reportedly referred to in the report, is the awarding of a big contract to African Defence Systems. One of the directors and shareholders in the company is Shabir Shaikh, the brother of the government's then chief weapons procurement officer, Chippy Shaikh.

Chippy Shaikh, who has recently emerged as one of the most controversial figures in the whole process, apparently did not have the necessary security clearance that the law requires.

Joe Modise, the former minister of defence is not accused of any wrongdoing, but did, after his retirement, become involved with a company which benefited from the arms deal.

In the report, it is apparently recommended that parliament establishes measures to ensure that high-ranking officials are not enriched by the awarding of state contracts.

According to the report, another finding is that it would benefit Cabinet if they were given better information about the rising costs of arms purchases, but that the decision regarding what the country should buy was a political one.

With acknowledgement to Jan-Jan Joubert Cobus Grobler, Beeld and News24.