Johannesburg - Various actions during the past two weeks by the Scorpions relating to the alleged irregularities in the R43 billion arms deal have shown that the net is starting to tighten around the suspects. 

After confiscating documents in Durban, Mauritius and France the Scorpions emphasised that only documents relating to the weapons transaction were taken and that the concerned companies weren’t under suspicion. 

Mr Schabir Shaikh is the chief executive of the Nkobi-group. Nkobi has a range of business interests in companies such as Thomson CSF, a French weapons company, and the Government contract to supply the new driver’s licences. 

Various allegations have been made that Shaikh uses his close connections with senior ANC-members to negotiate certain contracts. 

He is also a director of African Defence Systems (ADS), the South African company which obtained the contract for the supply of combat suites for the new corvettes. 

Thomson obtained the majority of shares in ADS once the contract had been awarded. In France and Mauritius, the offices of Thales International , the holding company of Thomson CSF, and the homes of the South African branch managing director, Mr Alain Thethard, were searched yesterday morning. 

Mr Chippy Shaikh, head of arms acquisitions for the defence force and brother of Schabir, came under fire during the public hearings for his alleged conflict of interest. It is alleged that he favoured ADS in the awarding of the combat suit contracts. 

Mr Chippy Shaikh alleged that he recused himself from meetings when these contracts were discussed. 

He was questioned for more than 12 days by the investigating team. 

The confiscations also had a link with Futuristic Business Solutions (FBS). 

Some of FBS’s directors have ties with Mr Joe Modise, the former minister of defence. 

Some of the contractors in the transactions were allegedly forced to sign countertrade agreements with FBS in return for contracts. 

Mr Ian Pierce, FBS director and accountant, was arrested more than a week ago after he had undergone earlier questioning. 

He was subpoenaed to hand over the original documents, but was arrested when he failed to do so.     

With acknowledgement to Erika Gibson, Die Burger and News24.