Parliament - Parliament's public accounts committee (Scopa) will meet on Wednesday to discuss its response to a letter from Deputy President Jacob Zuma on its role regarding the probe into South Africa's R43 billion arms deal.

In a strongly-worded letter dated January 19, and addressed to Scopa chair Gavin Woods, Zuma has accused the committee of seriously misdirecting itself, and arriving at decisions on the arms deal that were not substantiated by any facts.

The criticism has raised questions about the accountability of the executive to Parliament.

In a second letter, addressed to National Assembly Speaker Frene Ginwala, Zuma has also urged the committee to produce evidence of alleged malpractice in the arms deal.

The embattled watchdog committee first discussed the letter on January 24, but African National Congress members requested more time to study Zuma's criticism.

In a meeting held last week, Scopa members failed to reach agreement on the interpretation of a resolution - adopted by the National Assembly on November 2 - recommending a multi-agency probe into the deal.

ANC members on the committee believe Scopa did not single out any particular agency for inclusion in the proposed investigation, a view that contradicts Woods and opposition parties' interpretation that the Heath Special Investigation Unit be included.

Democratic Alliance public accounts spokesperson Raenette Taljaard said the disagreement had "built a fault line" that will split the committee when it resumes its debate on Wednesday.

The November 2 resolution calls for an exploratory meeting on the proposed probe to include the Auditor-General, Public Protector, the Investigating Directorate: Serious Economic Offences and the Heath investigation unit.

President Thabo Mbeki has refused to sign a proclamation to include Heath in the arms investigation.

His decision is backed up by Zuma's letter to the committee.

Wednesday's meeting is set to begin at 9am. – Sapa 

With acknowledgement to Sapa and News24.