Idasa, the political and economic research and lobbying group, has submitted a report to parliament's public accounts committee urging it to reopen its arms deal probe.

Judith February said in a submission on behalf of Idasa, that the recent allegations against Deputy President Jacob Zuma as well as the allegations that the final report of the joint investigative team - of the public protector, the national directorate of public prosecutions and the auditor general - was heavily edited as a result of executive interference provided an opportunity to reflect on the role of Parliament.

Zuma allegedly took a bribe in connection with the multi-billion rand arms deal which aims to reequip the airforce and the navy with corvettes, helicopters and aircraft.

The deal has been the subject of an intense media focus amid numerous allegations of bribery.

February said that ,in particular, the role of Scopa - the key watchdog Standing Committee on Public Accounts - should be reflected upon "and the role in which it will continue to exercise oversight over the deal".

These related to the "off-sets" promised by the contractors, the enforceability of contracts, the content of loan agreements and the cost of the deal.

September said the independence of institutions like the national directorate "is crucial for the consolidation of democracy. It is therefore unhelpful in the current context to debate the relationship between the Scorpions (an special investigation agency falling under the directorate) and the South African Police Services".

President Thabo Mbeki has suggested that the Scorpions could fall under the police department rather than the justice department.

September said: "Democracies are only as strong as the individual institutions of which they are made.

"Equally though institutions are only ever as strong as their ability to deal with their most serious political challenge.

"There is no doubt that for the national directorate and the deputy president, this case presents such a serious political challenge."

Nearly two years ago the joint investigative team found that there were no grounds for questioning the role of current members of the national executive in the deal.

With acknowledgements to Donwald Pressly and the Business Day.