The Democratic Alliance on Monday called on the team investigating South Africa's controversial multi-billion arms deal to clearly spell out its approach to the probe. 

Raenette Taljaard, the DA's public accounts spokesperson, said in a statement her party was concerned that the joint investigating team was changing its approach and was likely to convene public hearings. "The 'public' approach must not become an empty exercise amounting to a cathartic cathedral for the politically well connected. 

"The investigative team must report back to parliament's Scopa (standing committee on public accounts) about their altered approach as soon as possible," she said. 

'Certain aspects' of the probe would be conducted in public 

In response, Auditor General Shauket Fakie - who's office is heading the investigating team - told reporters that the team did plan to explain the format of the public aspects of the probe "in the near future". 

The investigating agencies were still ironing out the details of the approach and would make it know at an opportune time. "We still need to clarify in our own minds how it is going to work," he said. 

Public Protector Selby Baqwa, National Director of Public Prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka and Fakie announced after a four-hour meeting in Pretoria last week that "certain aspects" of the probe would be conducted in public. 

In a joint statement, the three said: "Having regard to the public interest in the manner in which the investigation is being conducted and its outcomes, it is our considered opinion that it will be necessary to conduct certain aspects of the investigation in public". 

The safety of witnesses and whistleblowers 

This was to do done without compromising the forensic or criminal aspects of the investigation, or endangering the safety of the witnesses and informants, the statement said. 

Taljaard said the investigative team should spell out clearly the rules of the game for the public aspects of the investigation. 

Until the investigators explained the legal basis for the decision, the DA would remain unconvinced that this could be done without jeopardising the safety of witnesses and whistleblowers, and without compromising key evidence, she said. 

With acknowledgment to Sapa and the Daily News.