Deputy President Jacob Zuma is to face tough questions in parliament from the DA in the wake of fresh allegations made about him in connection with the arms deal.

It recently emerged that the Scorpions were probing allegations that Zuma attempted to solicit a bribe from a French defence contractor.

The Scorpions have declined to comment on reports that they obtained Zuma's personal banking records after a subpoena.

It has been alleged that Zuma held meetings with Alain Thetard, the former head of the Southern African division of Thomson CSF (now Thales).

It has also been alleged that Zuma's financial adviser, Shabir Shaik, solicited payments in return for the protection of Thales during the probe into the multibillion-rand arms deal.

The deputy president has denied an allegation that a payment of R500 000 a year was sought from Thales and has remained tight-lipped about the recent disclosures. A warrant of arrest has been issued for Thetard.

Shaik is facing unrelated criminal charges.

The DA said yesterday it found it unacceptable that Zuma remained silent about his alleged meetings with Thetard. Raenette Taljaard of the DA said it was regrettable the Scorpions had to resort to a subpoena to obtain Zuma's banking records.

"The deputy president should have demonstrated his good faith and innocence by opening his accounts for a voluntary forensic audit and making the findings of that audit public," she said.

He should confirm or deny that the meetings took place. If they did not take place, "there is no reason for the deputy president to maintain a stoic silence about the allegations - they should be dismissed out of hand". Taljaard said the DA would table questions and call on Zuma to "come clean".

"The presidency must explain why it has failed to institute a commission of inquiry into this matter and the broader question of Mr Zuma's links to Mr Shaik, given the latter's extensive business interests, and the question of conflicts of interest that remains unresolved."

Zuma's spokesman could not be reached yesterday.

With acknowledgements to Andre Koopman and the Cape Times.