The elite Scorpions investigative unit on Thursday launched an intensive day-long raid on the Durban offices of Nkobi Holdings, the group of companies owned by Shabir Shaik.

Shaik's house, the offices of Nkobi's attorneys Ditz Incorporated, and the home of Nkobi financial director Colin Isaacs were also searched.

The operation was among simultaneous raids in three countries to find documents that could assist the Scorpions in their arms deal corruption investigation, said unit publicist Sipho Ngwema.

The Durban operation began at 6.30am and continued into the night.

Street full of German sedans

About 10 late-model German sedans - marked and unmarked - lined both sides of the street outside the high-rise office block where the Scorpions were conducting their search.

At 6pm, a delivery crew entered the foyer of the building bearing a cardboard box of pizzas and soft drinks, and admitted the food was for the Scorpions.

At about the same time, two extra security guards entered the building, reportedly to secure the fourth and fifth floors - the location of Nkobi's offices and boardroom.

But the Scorpions, cautious as ever, pointed out the searches did not necessarily mean the owners of the premises were suspects or guilty of any crime.

Meanwhile in Cape Town on Thursday, Inkatha Freedom Party MP Mandla Msomi was hauled before his party's parliamentary caucus to explain his buying of two luxury vehicles, with large discounts, from a company with a stake in the multibillion-rand arms deal.

'Above board at all times'

An IFP statement issued after the meeting said Msomi had assured the caucus he "has to date fully co-operated" with Parliament's ethics committee and supplied it with all relevant information in his possession.

The caucus had also been informed that the committee had referred the issue for further inquiry "by other investigative agencies".

"The caucus has noted Msomi's explanation for its record, and will now await further developments; the law must now take its course."

Last week, Msomi insisted he had acted above board at all times. He denied receiving a discount on one of the vehicles and said he had paid a fair price for a second-hand car with 40 000km on the clock.

He also denied buying the vehicles from Michael Woerfel, suspended managing director of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company - which has a stake in the multibillion-rand arms deal - but from DaimlerChrysler.

Msomi chaired the National Assembly's portfolio committee on public enterprises at the time he bought a Colt Rodeo 3.0 and a Mercedes-Benz E320.

With acknowledgement to Sapa, the Star and Independent Online.