The department of defence's acquisitions chief, Shamin "Chippy" Shaik, has lodged an appeal against the outcome and sentence of a recent disciplinary hearing.

Spokesperson Sam Mkhwanazi said Shaik had been found guilty of illegally disclosing confidential information contained in the auditor-general's draft report on the arms deal late in 2001.

Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota suspended Shaik with full pay and banned him from setting foot in any military installation or headquarters on November 19.

Shaik was also barred from having contact with officials dealing with arms procurement.

An auditor-general's draft report, which was critical of Shaik's involvement in the arms deal, was handed to Lekota late in 2001.

Lekota then instructed Joy Ratebe, his legal advisor, to give the report to Shaik for comment.

Shaik passed the report to his lawyers, who took up the issue with auditor-general Shauket Fakie. Shaik was then charged with misconduct for disclosing details of the report to his lawyers.

He has now been given a final written warning as a sanction.

Mkhwanazi said the ministry had received the sentence from the hearing's chairperson, provincial and local government director-general Zam Titus, on Sunday night.

It was handed to Shaik as well as Lekota on Monday.

Shaik lodged his notice of appeal against both the conviction and the sentence with the defence department on Wednesday in terms of the Labour Relations Act.

Mkhwanazi said the minister was applying his mind to the matter in order to determine the next step.