President Thabo Mbeki could announce as early as this afternoon whether he agrees that the Heath special investigating unit should be excluded from the probe into South Africa's multi-billion dollar arms deal.

On Monday, Penuell Maduna, Justice Minister, announced that he had advised Mbeki not to issue a proclamation allowing the unit to become involved.

In its reaction yesterday, the Heath unit criticised Maduna, saying it had the capacity to handle a joint investigation of this nature.

The unit said Maduna had misinterpreted a Constitutional Court ruling against it and had relied on outdated information in making his recommendation to the president.

The unit will now make its own representations to the president.

With acknowledgement to SABC News.