New evidence linking a major German multinational and a black empowerment company has emerged in the continuing controversy surrounding South Africa's R43-m arms deal and government chief whip Tony Yengeni. 

Screened on e-tv national news, the unsigned document is said to show that German company Thyssen would pay Futuristic Business Solutions R1,3m plus costs for any arms business coming its way.Futuristic Business Solutions' executives are said to include Lambert Maloi, brother-in-law of former defence minister Joe Modise. 

The document, effectively a lobby agreement, is said to reinforce claims that politicians involved in the arms deal were 'influenced'. Yengeni has yet to answer all questions surrounding how a 4x4 vehicle ordered by DaimlerChrysler Aerospace for staff ended up in his possession. 

The news report also dealt with fears of behind-the-scenes political manoeuvring to pressure the media on reporting of the controversy.It cited the planned meeting between the Director of Public Prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka and selected editors on Thursday this week.Ngcuka said that the only pressure he was under was from media wanting answers. The director wants media cooperation over space in which to conduct enquiries. 

The government's chief spokesperson Joel Netshitenzhe said after Sunday's broadcast that if it were to respond to all signed and unsigned documents, it would spend all of its time in this way. 

He repeated that government fully supported the top level investigation into the arms deal and would not protect those involved in wrongdoing.

With acknowledgement to the Mail and Guardian.