Deputy President Jacob Zuma will supply the answers to 35 questions put to him by the Scorpions investigation unit within the next two weeks, his office said yesterday.

"We would like to reiterate that there was never a deadline for the submission, and the deputy president was invited to respond at his earliest convenience, with a request that replies be sent to the institution ," a statement issued by the presidency read.

Zuma's office called on the media to "appreciate that the questions are quite extensive and therefore require that a substantial amount of work and research be done".

Zuma was aware of the urgency of the matter and would like to see a speedy conclusion to the investigation.

"We also wish to remind the media that the deputy president has not been subpoenaed to answer the questions, nor was he asked to submit an affidavit," the statement read.

The Scorpions are investigating allegations that Zuma solicited a R500 000 bribe from a company involved in SA's multibillion-rand arms deal.

Zuma is angry that the questions were leaked to the media, and has claimed constant leaks from the Scorpions were "designed to cast aspersions on my integrity".

The deputy president has rejected the allegations.

Meanwhile, Scopa, Parliament's watchdog public accounts committee, is to question Auditor-General Shauket Fakie later this month about claims of omissions in the final report on the investigation of the arms deal.

This follows the release of a special report by Fakie in June, in which he denied allegations that the final arms deal report had been "heavily edited" and "doctored".

Scopa chairman Francois Beukman said yesterday that MPs had earmarked August 20 for a public hearing on the claims and Fakie's response.

Fakie has described the allegations as "unfounded and biased".

With acknowledgements to Sapa and the Business Day.