An accountant arrested in connection with the controversial government arms deal was yesterday acquitted of all charges against him by the Commercial Crimes Court.

Magistrate David Makhoba discharged Ian Pierce, 43, after finding there was no prima facie evidence against him on any of the four charges.

Pierce, an accountant who lives in Melrose, Johannesburg, was arrested on September 28 last year for allegedly contravening the National Prosecution Authority Act. He was held for allegedly failing to respond to a summons.

Regarding the charge that Pierce failed to appear before the investigating officer after receiving a summons in July last year, the magistrate said yesterday that the witness who received the summons to give to Pierce could not vouch that she had given it to him.

"The accused's side is also that he did not receive the summons. How will the State prove he did receive it?"

On the charge of giving false evidence, the magistrate found Pierce had not lied when he said he did not have certain books and documents.

With acknowledgement to the Cape Argus.