Pan-Africanist Congress chief whip Patricia de Lille and her lawyers were set for crunch talks on Thursday about whether to comply with a subpoena to hand over secret documents to the team investigating the R43-billion arms deal. 

She declined on Wednesday night to give an indication of her next move as did her lawyers. "I briefed my lawyers to look at all the implications and whether I have to appear in front of the investigating team," said De Lille. 

She and her lawyers refused to comment further and were preparing themselves for what is expected to be a legal battle between her and the investigating team. 

Probe started off on the wrong foot, say politicians 

The joint arms procurement investigating team has asked the Western Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Frank Kahn, to consider prosecuting Noseweek editor Martin Welz. 

A media statement from the investigating team on Wednesday night said it had been alleged in an article in Noseweek this month that national Director of Public Prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka, Public Protector Selby Baqwa and Land Claims Courtpresident Judge Fikile Bam, among others, had attended a meeting at the house of African National Congress chief whip Tony Yengeni. 

It was claimed that the meeting, between Christmas and New Year, was to discuss "what to do about the investigation into the arms procurement". The investigating team's statement said no such meeting took place . 

The latest moves follow recent claims that the PAC has evidence linking senior ANC officials to irregularities in the arms deal. 

The government's actions 'are reminiscent of the apartheid government' 

At the PAC's weekend conference, De Lille indicated that the name of a senior ANC MP linked to the deal would be made public soon. 

De Lille said that the nation "would be shocked" when the PAC made the announcement. 

Politicians from different political parties responded with outrage after hearing about the pending action against Welz and the subpoena served on De Lille. 

They said the probe into the arms deal had started off on the wrong foot with heavy-handed tactics of intimidation. 

United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa said: "What a way to start the investigation. When are they going to subpoena the Tony Yengenis and others who were given Mercedes-Benzes?" 

Democratic Alliance chief whip Douglas Gibson said Ngcuka's action was surprising and heavy-handed. "I wonder if he made a simple request to De Lille to provide the information. Why does he regard her as an enemy?" he asked. 

Welz said the government's actions were reminiscent of the apartheid government. "To me it looks like only the colour has changed, but the tactics are still the same," said Welz. 

With acknowledgment to the Daily News and Independent Online.