The Hefer Commission was yesterday the scene of a number of extraordinary revelations.

For example: "I am interested in your wife," Judge Joos Hefer told Glenn Goosen, an Eastern Cape attorney, who was giving evidence in connection with Vanessa Brereton, agent RS452, in whose legal practice he articled.

Goosen, normally as cool as a cucumber, immediately straightened up and said: "My wife, Mr Commissioner?"

One needs to know, by the way, that Goosen had in his evidence discussed his wife, Therese Boulle, at some length because she, as much as he, had been involved in political activities in the Eastern Cape.

"Yes," said Hefer, and everyone in court 1 of the appeal court in Bloemfontein held their breath. Alas, Hefer had no interest whatsoever in Mrs Goosen other than from a legal framework.

The revelation was, rather, that Hefer's mind might have been wandering a trifle, for he then said he had recently read a number of articles on constitutional law by a certain Boulle and merely wondered if she was Mrs Goosen.

"No, apparently a distant relation," said a relieved Goosen, who then immediately quipped: "This appears to be yet another case of mistaken identity."

"Yes, indeed," said the judge.

The second revelation was that it is possible another commission may have to be convened to consider whether Kessie Naidu SC, the leader of evidence, might also have been a spy.

This possibility emerged after Norman Arendse SC, counsel for Minister of Justice Penuell Maduna, mentioned a newspaper article this week by advocate Dumisa Ntsebeza, the leader of investigations for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Apparently Ntsebeza was critical of the commission's modus operandi and suggested that if the commission had had its wits about it, it would have called on him to assist or give evidence.

Naidu immediately rose to his feet and said he wished to place on record that he had tried to contact Ntsebeza but still had not had the courtesy of a return call.

"I'm tired of all the accusations that are being levelled at me and at this commission," said Naidu. "Next thing I will also be accused of being a spy."

"And then we will have another commission," said Hefer.

Going over the evidence of witness Litha Jolobe - who made the telling revelation that he had gained the impression that Mac Maharaj "was still fishing" - Arendse confused Jolobe's nuptials with his birthday, and in the process confused everyone in the court as well.

So passed another day at the Hefer Commission - a day of confusion and mistaken identity.

With acknowledgements to Jeremy Gordin, Estelle Ellis and The Star.