Pretoria - Public hearings in the probe into South Africa's R43 billion arms procurement deal are to start in Pretoria on May 28, the investigation agencies said on Friday.

They said these proceedings would only deal with facets of allegations that would not compromise the criminal and forensic aspects of the investigation.

Between 40 and 50 allegations of wrongdoing in the arms deal were being investigated.

The probe is being conducted by Public Protector Selby Baqwa, Auditor-General Shauket Fakie, and National Director of Public Prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka.

In a joint statement they said the hearings, to be held at the Pretoria High Court, were complimentary to a forensic investigation.

"Therefore, the public inquiry phase will only commence once the forensic investigation has reached a fairly advanced stage," the agencies said.

"Careful consideration is being given to ensure that only those aspects of the allegations that will not compromise the forensic and criminal investigation are heard in public."

A team of about 30 members from the three agencies and a number of experts contracted from outside were handling the criminal and forensic probe.

The public hearings would be led by a core panel of three, comprising representatives from all three agencies, and were expected to continue for up to two months.

The panel was expected to start the proceedings with a review of events leading up to the awarding of the arms contracts. Evidence would then be led. In the final phase, the panel would sum up evidence to be incorporated into the investigation report.

Exact details of the allegations under investigation would only be provided when this report was finalised.

"Confidentiality is being maintained to protect witnesses and the integrity of the information under investigation," the three agencies said.

They added there was likely to be an interval between the completion of the hearings and the presentation of their findings.

With acknowledgement to Sapa and News24.