The SABC has been reliably informed that Penuell Maduna, the justice and constitutional affairs minister, has advised President Thabo Mbeki not to issue a proclamation for the inclusion of the Heath Unit into the probe of the controversial arms procurement package. 

The investigations into the R43 billion arms deal was ordered by the public accounts committee after auditor-general Shauket Fakie found there may have been some irregularities in the granting of subcontracting tenders. 

He also found that the cost for buying the weapons had escalated by R14 billion.

Parliament named the special investigative unit, together with the auditor-general, the public protector and the national director of public prosecutions, as the agencies that would conduct the probe.

The ANC however opposed the involvement of the special investigative unit. 

Maduna submitted his recommendation to Mbeki on Thursday last week. He is now expected to reveal his reasons for the exclusion of the unit at a media briefing in Pretoria.

President Mbeki is expected to announce his final decision later this week 

With acknowledgement to SABC News.