The Scorpions have dispelled suggestions that they are "actively" investigating Deputy President Jacob Zuma's alleged involvement in a bribe to cover up the arms procurement deal.

Scorpions spokesman Sipho Ngwema said yesterday the investigation into suspected irregularities surrounding the deal was ongoing and the unit could not confirm whom it was investigating.

Zuma's office denied allegations and said it could not respond because the investigation was still in progress.

The allegations, first made last year, resurfaced recently in an article in the Mail & Guardian newspaper. It has been alleged that Zuma sought to secure a bribe of R500 000 a year from French defence company Thomson-CSF. The company has since been incorporated into Thales, which together with South African subsidiary African Defence Systems successfully bid on the R6 billion contract to supply the Navy with four corvettes.

In return Zuma would allegedly quash any investigtion of irregularities into Thales securing the contract. The bribe would also apparently secure Zuma's permanent support of future projects by Thales.

The Democratic Alliance said Zuma should submit to a forensic audit of his finances as the allegations, which involved ethical conduct, could make a mockery of his leadership of the Moral Regeneration Campaign.

However, DA spokesman Raenette Taljaard said the alliance would not callf or Zuma's resignation.

Taljaard said that unlike many who called for the resignation of former Unicity mayor Gerald Morkel after allegations of dodgy donations, the DA would not take such an "infantile" response.

"The law must be allowed to run its course, irrespective of the person under investigation.

"In the case of Deputy President Zuma it is important that the audit and the Scorpions probe every aspect of fear, favour or prejudice and without any attempts at undue influence or obstruction on the part of the government," Taljaard said.

With acknowledgement to the Charles Phahlane and the Argus.