The controversial R43bn arms deal took a new twist yesterday when it emerged that Gavin Woods, Parliament's chairman of Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa), did not secretly receive classified government documents from the suspended defence ministry official Shamin "Chippy" Shaik.

Parliament's Speaker Frene Ginwala said Woods followed the correct procedure to get documents which were in his possession.

Ginwala's statement follows a media report which said the dealings between Shaik and Woods prompted an investigation that led to Shaik's suspension last week and the arrest of his brother Shabir.

Shabir Shaik was arrested last week after he was found in possession of classified documents, including the minutes of a cabinet committee meeting which decided on the final arms order. Chippy Shaik was the secretary at that meeting.

Ginwala said Woods, in his capacity as chairman of Scopa which was investigating corruption allegations against government officials involved in the arms deal wrote a letter to the defence ministry requesting access to certain documents.

"The documents were indeed released to the committee and everyone knew about that. There was nothing secretive about that," Ginwala said. Ginwala said she was also surprised to learn that Auditor-General Shauket Fakie, Public Protector Selby Baqwa and Director of Public Prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka who were probing allegations of corruption slammed Woods for "concealing" helpful information.

It was reported that Sipho Ngwema, spokesman for the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, said Woods turned down their request for the documents, claiming they were covered by "parliamentary privilege".

Ginwala said: "After we received the documents, we had a meeting with the three heads of investigations. We all went through all the information. That means they all knew what documents were in possession of the committee."

Ginwala said since the meeting neither of the three investigating agencies returned to the committee with requests for any additional information. "As far as we know they knew all the information that we had, unless if they are now talking about another set of information handed to Woods by Shaik, and I am not aware of that."

Ngwema last night refused to comment of Ginwala's statement.

With acknowledgement to Tefo Mothibeli and Business Day.