The Democratic Party staged a walkout from the National Assembly chamber before the parliamentary briefing on the controversial arms deal. The walkout followed a verbal clash between Speaker Dr Frene Ginwala and DP Chief Whip Douglas Gibson, who claimed that the briefing appeared to be "a glorified press conference", and that his party wanted to play no part in it.

African National Congress MPs jeered and chanted, ""Go, go, go"" as the DP MPs left the chamber, despite Ginwala's call on them to remember, "this is not a circus". The United Democratic Movement announced earlier that it would not attend, saying it was "a stage-managed public relations exercise".

UDM leader Bantu Holomisa said: "It can serve no purpose other than the investigation team speaking on behalf of government to a report which has been tampered with by the executive." Ginwala said it was important for MPs and members of the public to hear directly from the investigating team about the report. The informal presentation would be followed by formal deliberations in parliamentary committees.

The team includes Public Protector Selby Baqwa, National Director of Public Prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka and Auditor-General Shauket Fakie.