The Heath anti-corruption unit has applied for a presidential proclamation to formally investigate South Africa's controversial R32-billion arms deal.

The request follows Auditor-General Shauket Fakie's special report into the deal tabled in parliament three weeks ago, which highlighted material deviations from generally accepted procurement practice.

Fakie also recommended a forensic audit into the deal's subcontracts, which fell outside the scope of his probe and which has been the subject of repeated corruption claims.

Monday's announcement by Heath follows a year-long crusade by, among others, PAC member of parliament Patricia de Lille.

'My patriotism was impugned' In parliament in September last year, De Lille called for a judicial commission of inquiry. She did so after she was approached by an anonymous group of disgruntled ANC members, who claimed the deal was riddled with corruption involving a small circle of ANC elite bent on self-enrichment.

Her call for a probe was shot down by the majority party, which attempted to divert attention by urging her to name her sources instead.

De Lille said on Monday that at the time she was vilified and dubbed "all sorts of names, and my patriotism was impugned because I refused to reveal the identities of the whistleblowers".

She forwarded the allegations and documentation to Heath in November 1999. De Lille said she was pleased that almost a year later Heath, had applied for the proclamation. She urged President Thabo Mbeki to urgently sign it.

The auditor-general's report will be discussed by parliament's watchdog public accounts committee on Wednesday - the same day that the defence minister, Mosiuoa Lekota, is expected to table it before cabinet.

De Lille is looking forward to apologies The committee met the auditor-general's office on Monday to prepare for Wednesday's hearing.

Public Protector Selby Baqwa is also investigating the deal, as well as the Investigating Directorate: Serious Economic Offences.

"It is imperative that thorough, independent and publicly transparent investigations proceed urgently into all aspects of this conspiracy, and that politicians and officials must be called to account for the misappropriation of funds and abuse of public office," De Lille said.

Media reports have repeatedly raised questions about the involvement of, among others, the former defence minister, Joe Modise, his former aide-turned-businessman, Lambert Moloi, and the head of the arms acquisition programme, Chippy Shaik.

They have all denied any irregularity.

De Lille said she looked forward to apologies from Lekota, ANC's chief whip, Tony Yengeni, and the chair of parliament's joint defence committee, Joseph Mashimbye, who apparently questioned her integrity. - Sapa

With acknowledgement to Sapa and Independent Online.