Government fully supported the ongoing investigations into matters pertaining to the arms procurement package, Joel Netshitenzhe, the government communications (GCIS) head said today. In this regard, government had noted the latest actions taken by the Directorate of Special Operations (Scorpions). "The law must take its course and must be seen to do so," he said in a statement.

It should be emphasised however, that as the report of the joint investigating team's probe into the arms deal said, these investigations did not detract from the key findings and recommendations. "Key amongst these, is that there was nothing untoward with regard to the primary contracting process.

"We also wish to reaffirm the principle that any citizen is innocent until proven otherwise," Netshithenzhe said. The statements comes after Shabir Shaik, a bidding contractor in the multi-billion rand arms procurement deal, was arrested in Durban for possession of classified government documents. Shaik has since been granted bail of R1000. He is expected to appear in court again on the 21st of January next year.

Sipho Ngwema, the National Director of Public Prosecutions spokesperson, said Shaik was allegedly in possession of cabinet minutes in which the arms procurement was discussed, and also correspondence between the departments of Public Enterprises and Defence.

He said Shaik was a bidding contractor, competing with other contenders, yet he had inside information. "He must explain that in court." Asked how Shaik might have obtained the documents, Ngwema said: "I don't know, but you know and I know that his brother is in the Defence Department."

Shaik's brother, Shamin "Chippy" Shaik is the head of acquisitions in the Department of Defence. Shaik will be charged under the Protection of Information Act. Clifford Marion, the Scorpions investigating unit head in KwaZulu-Natal, said Shaik would appear in the Durban Regional Court. Asked if the state would oppose bail, Ngwema said that would emerge in the court hearing.