The issue dominated the parliamentary year, with the first shots fired even before the official opening in February, and the stage-managed tabling of a 380-page report by investigators this month did little to restore peace.

The deal pitted the executive against parliament, political parties against each other, and national assembly speaker Dr Frene Ginwala against the opposition.

Parliament's respected standing committee on public accounts (Scopa), with a proud tradition of consensus decision-making, was paralysed for most of the year after members fell out over the arms investigation.

The tensions between its members spilled over into the national assembly, polarising parties further.

There were clashes on other fronts as friend turned foe, and the minority New National Party deserted alliance partner the Democratic Party for the African National Congress.

Day in court

Some MPs were hauled before the courts, including former ANC chief whip Tony Yengeni for fraud, perjury and corruption arising from the arms deal investigation.

His party colleague Winnie Madikizela-Mandela was hauled into the dock for fraud and theft, and the Inkatha Freedom Party's Albert Mncwango for rape. Their cases continue.

Yengeni and Madikizela-Mandela were also reported to parliament's ethics committee for allegedly failing to disclose benefits in the register of members' interests.

The IFP's Mandla Msomi went on long leave pending an inquiry by the committee after claims he received benefits from a company with an interest in the arms deal.

ANC MP John Ncinane, publicly censured in parliament for abusing his air ticket quota, was conditionally suspended as an ANC member for 10 years.

In October he too appeared in court, pleading not guilty to misappropriating more than R33 000 in rugby development funds.

There were also threats of legal action, with Ginwala - who opposition parties accused of bias in her handling of the arms deal - threatening to sue United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa for defamation.

Internal party battles

Internal party battles saw UDM chief whip Sipo Mzimela expelled, while the DP's Richard Pillay was suspended pending a disciplinary inquiry.

On the labour relations front, Lulu Matyolo, the secretary of the national council of provinces, was suspended, and her return to office resulted in a written complaint to the Public Protector alleging nepotism.

At least 13 ANC MPs resigned either to join the diplomatic corps or to be redeployed to local or provincial government.

They included the party's caucus chairperson Thabang Makwetla, and Jannie Momberg, Priscilla Jana, Melanie Verwoerd, Malusi Gigaba and Duma Nkosi.

Two ANC MPs, Isaiah Ntshangase and Cengi Mahlalela, died.

The Freedom Front's Constand Viljoen quit active politics, as did the Federal Alliance's Louis Luyt.

The UDM's Sam de Beer and Ndaba Mtirara both joined the ANC.

Former NNP MPs, including Gert Oosthuizen and Manie Schoeman, who was expelled as his party's Eastern Cape leader for opposing the formation of the DA, became ANC MPs.

Resignation

ANC MP Andrew Feinstein resigned in August citing disappointment over the government and his party's handling of the arms deal.

The Azanian People's Organisation lost its sole MP Mosibudi Mangena to President Thabo Mbeki as his deputy education minister, although a constitutional amendment now allows another Azapo member to fill his seat.

On Aids, ANC MP Ruth Bhengu broke the silence on the government benches about the disease when she told MPs that her daughter was HIV-positive. She has since called for mandatory HIV testing.

Newspapers also reported that at least 45 MPs were HIV-positive.

Parliament's committee on the status of women came out openly against Mbeki and the health ministry's current thinking on HIV/Aids, by supporting the use of anti-retrovirals.

Parliament adopted 69 bills in 2001, one down from last year and considerably less than the 137 of 1998.

However key legislation including the Immigration Bill - subject of a tug-of-war between IFP president and Home Affairs Minister Mangosuthu Buthelezi and the ANC - has yet to be processed, while the issue of traditional leaders also remains on the back burner.

The "flip-flop" nature of government's telecoms policy filtered through into the communications committee, which changed its mind on key clauses of important legislation only hours before the measure was adopted by the assembly.

A new committee which gives MPs increased oversight over the budget was also established.

For all their hard work this year, the country's elected representatives, including cabinet ministers, were rewarded with battle honours in the form of an eight percent pay hike.

With acknowledgement to Sapa and News24.