Cape Town - Those with proof of irregularities in South Africa's controversial arms deal should bring this before parliament's standing committee on public accounts (Scopa), said the New National Party on Tuesday.

"If this is not done, the only conclusion we can come to is that the media is being used to score political points and to discredit President Thabo Mbeki," said NNP defence spokesman Johnny Schippers.

"The accusers must bring proof," he said.

The NNP was reacting to reports in Britain's Guardian newspaper on Monday that BAE Systems - the UK's biggest arms manufacturer - had paid millions of pounds in secret commissions to obtain a contract to sell jets to South Africa.

According to the report, more than R2bn in commissions was paid to unnamed "confidential agents" in South Africa.

"The NNP takes note of the latest allegations related to the controversial arms deal.

"It is in the interest of good governance that we get to the bottom of these and all other allegations in the media.

"The problem is that an investigation can not be conducted on the basis of media reports alone," said Schippers.

The allegations questioned the integrity of Mbeki and his government, and placed "a moral responsibility on parties with proof to come forward in the public interest", he said.

With acknowledgements to Sapa and www.news24.co.za.