The three-agency joint investigation into the strategic defence packages cost about R9.5-million, says Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota.

In written reply to a question in the National Assembly, he said both the national prosecuting authority and the public protector executed the investigation as part of their normal daily tasks.

They estimated their costs at R977 761 and R105 539 respectively.

The office of the auditor general settled all other expenditure and invoiced the defence department accordingly for R842 1375.

This included the publishing costs of the report, and other incidentals.

"The total costs regarding the investigation thus amounts to R9 404 675," Lekota said.

With acknowledgements to Sapa and www.iafrica.co.za