The investigation that led to the suspension of the government's arms acquisition chief Shamin "Chippy" Shaik came after Shaik's repeated leaking of confidential documents to people including Gavin Woods, the chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) in Parliament.

The Sunday Times reported that the discovery of the leaking of government documents had led to Shaik's suspension by Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota last week.

The documents given to Woods formed the basis of Scopa's report to Parliament, which recommended a multi-agency probe into corruption allegations, the Sunday Times report said.

A spokesperson in the defence department was quoted in the article as saying the department was investigating allegations that Shaik had leaked documents until as recently as last month.

Woods is also quoted in the article admitting that Shaik had given him information on the prime contracts, the agreements on the industrial participation programmes as well as other documents.

Shaik's brother, Shabir Shaik, was arrested last week on charges of possessing classified documents including Cabinet minutes which decided on the final arms order.

Shabir, an arms contractor who won a contract in the deal could be sued by a rival bidder, following a report implicating his brother in failing to disclose a conflict of interest in situations where Shabir was involved.

With acknowledgement to John Makoni and iafrica.com.