Cape Town - United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa said on Wednesday that the warrant of arrests for ANC chief whip Tony Yengeni and European Aeronautic Defence Systems (EADS) managing director Michael Woerfel cast new suspicion over others who appeared to have also benefitted from discounted vehicles.

Yengeni was granted bail of R10 000 on Wednesday morning. He is facing charges of corruption, fraud, forgery and statutory. perjury.

The charges relate to the acquisition of discounted luxury vehicle allegedly facilitated by Woerfel, the managing director of the European Aeronautic Defence Systems (EADS), a company with a stake in the arms deal.

A warrant of arrest has also been issued for Woerfel, who is apparently outside the country, and who faces charges of corruption and forgery.

In a statement, Holomisa questioned whether Yengeni was merely mimicking the behaviour of his seniors.

"In this regard renewed and vigorous attention must be focused on President Mbeki, who allegedly drove an even more expensive luxury vehicle for six months, which was only returned after the public pressure on Yengeni reached its peak," said Holomisa referring to claims in Noseweek magazine that Mbeki test drove a Mercedes-Benz for six months.

"The warrant of arrest issued for Michael Woerfel ... casts new suspicions over other people who appear to have benefited in a similar fashion as Yengeni."

This included Chief of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) Siphiwe Nyanda who also received a discounted vehicle via the EADS.

The SANDF has previously insisted Nyanda's car deal was above board.

The Sunday Times reported earlier this year that Nyanda had admitted he received a R500 000 Mercedes-Benz at a greatly-reduced price from EADS, which had provided at least 30 VIPs with cars.

Holomisa said there were other notable names of high-ranking government and parastatal officials, as well as Mandla Msomi, an Inkatha Freedom Party MP.

"We hope that the Scorpions will focus their investigations and possible prosecutions on these people too.

"We must guard against a situation where Yengeni and Woerfel are made the expedient fall guys, whiles others are protected."

Holomisa said the charges against Woerfel and Yengeni "brings the whole [arms] deal into disrepute".

"For instance, the public should know about the companies owned by former Minister Modise and (retired army general Lambert Moloi who won contracts in the arms deal ... It is now necessary to determine, once and for all, whether this arms deal must not be cancelled because it was perhaps not in the public interest, but rather in the interest of the elite." 

With acknowledgment to Sapa and News24.