The battle between the transparency principle in the constitution and the secrecy that normally surrounds arms deals dominated the first day of the much-anticipated public hearings into the multibillion-rand arms acquisition.

The decision whether to allow cameras was postponed and the 'public' hearings remain shrouded in mystery.

Public protector Selby Baqwa, and his assistants Dr M S Ramaite, the Assistant National Director of Public Prosecutions, and H van Zyl, representing the Auditor-General, seemed to have many reservations about letting e.Tv and the SABC have cameras and microphones at the hearing.

Advocate Gilbert Marcus, SC, for e.Tv, had argued that cameras had been allowed into the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the Human Rights Commission, and the King Commission into cricket match-fixing, and said that because this investigation was into the government itself, a broad dissemination of the proceedings was in the public interest. He offered to accept any conditions that would be imposed.

Baqwa raised concerns about using the footage selectively. He asked how the video feed that might go to other broadcasters could be controlled. He asked if e.Tv was not seeking immunity for journalists, and said that by making the hearings public, he was not offering the media carte blanche.

Derek Spitz, for the SABC, said the SABC's role, defined in law, as a public broadcaster, required it to broadcast events that were in the public interest.

Baqwa said he would announce his decision on June 11.  

With acknowledgment to Independent Online.