Durban - He was caught in the crossfire of "certain very high level political groups" pushing their own agendas, the brother of government's chief arms buyer said on Friday after he was arrested in connection with the multi-billion rand arms deal.

Certain foreign intelligence agencies used the arms scandal to promote their own interests, said Shabir Shaikh. Shaikh is, among others, a director of African Defence Systems (ADS), the company which was awarded a supply contract for South Africa's new corvettes.

Shabir, brother to Chippy Shaikh, one of the central figures in the arms investigation, surrendered to the Scorpions after classified Cabinet minutes and ministerial correspondence regarding the arms deal were found in his possession during a raid a month ago.

He stands accused of theft and has also been charged under the Protection of Information Act.

In reaction, Chippy Shaikh said neither he nor his brother was intimidated by the turn of events. "If I were to be arrested next, I would welcome it with a smile. It would be very difficult to prove vague allegations in court and we have also assembled evidence," he said. Shaikh added that the past week's events bordered on the absurd.

Shabir Shaikh apparently contacted the Scorpions shortly after publication of the report into alleged irregularities in the arms deal.

This followed soon after the announcement by National Director of Public Prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka that more arrests would follow within 24 hours.

According to Mr Chippy Shaikh the arrest of his brother on a lesser charge "which had nothing to do with corruption", was ridiculous.

He said it became apparent from the investigation that certain newspapers and other sources had highly classified documents in their possession. "They published excerpts without any repercussions. Where is the justice in that?" he wanted to know.

According to Shaikh, it should be established who gave the order that only specific people be arrested, while others were not. The investigation's aim was to ascertain whether corruption of millions of rand had taken place, he said, adding that he found it baffling how a handful of documents on meetings could be linked to alleged corruption.

Scorpions spokesperson Sipho Ngwema said the investigation was at an advanced stage but would not say if more arrests would follow.

Shabir Shaikh said he welcomed the chance to defend himself against the allegations in a court of law. He wanted to know why the probe concentrated on his contract, which only represented 2% of the arms deal, while nothing was being done about the rest. According to his brother, the Scorpions were kicking up a storm to satisfy their political masters, while their actual progress was marginal.

Shaikh's legal representative, Mr Reeves Parsee, was about the case. His client was released on bail of R1 000, which was not opposed by the Scorpions.

Shaikh has to appear in court again on 21 January.

With acknowledgement to Dries Liebenberg, Erika Gibson and News24.