Sparks are expected to fly on Tuesday when MPs hold a parliamentary debate on the report compiled by state-agencies - the public protector, auditor-general, and national director of public prosecutions - which investigated allegations of corruption in the government's multi-billion rand arms deal.

MPs are expected to focus their attention on the costs and what has been described as the "arms deal job sham."

Trade and Industry Minister Alec Erwin and Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota are expected to defend the arms procurement package, despite new allegations the R140 billion investment promised to reach the country could have been inflated.

The Mail & Guardian newspaper recently published allegations that the value of most of the investments and job creation projects, earmarked as off-sets, could have been inflated. There are also concerns the 65 000 jobs that were supposed to be created from the offsets may have been exaggerated. Erwin's spokesperson, Pana Kaffan, said such observations were inaccurate.

"We were taken for a ride. It appears the jobs that were promised will not be forthcoming," said Pan Africanist Congress chief whip Patricia de Lille. "We also want an explanation on why is it that only (former ANC chief whip) Tony Yengeni and a few others are facing prosecution when in fact a number of government officials were implicated for having received discounted vehicles from one of the companies which won a slice of the arms deal."

But the ANC resolved in its caucus meeting this week that during the debate the party would demonstrate faith in the institutions of the public protector, national director of public prosecutions and the auditor-general.

Democratic Party MP Raenette Taljaard said the executive would have to explain what exactly the cost of the arms deal was in view of the depreciation of the rand against foreign currencies. "It is clear the investment offsets are in no way going to match the escalating costs of the arms package," she said.

The role of the standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) will come into the spotlight.

Since the saga erupted within the committee, there have been accusations and counter-accusations between the ANC and opposition parties - with the latter charging the ruling party had tampered with the oversight role of Scopa.

With acknowledgements to Mpumelelo Mkhabela and www.news24.co.za.