Many people in SA today will probably agree with US architect Frank Lloyd Wright's statement that he was in favour of keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of fools. "Let's start with typewriters," he once said.

SA's fourth estate is on trial for taking sides in the arms deal investigation and of finding Deputy President Jacob Zuma guilty of corruption.

This was particularly noticeable after the media began reporting on issues raised in an off-the-record briefing with Scorpions chief Bulelani Ngcuka, and then allowed itself to be used by warring factions in the saga that evolved.

The Hefer commission, investigating spying and abuse of office claims against Ngcuka, will hear evidence from former City Press editor Vusi Mona today about the contents of a briefing Ngcuka had with selected black editors in July.

At the meeting were Mona, former Sunday Times editor Mathatha Tsedu, the Mail and Guardian's Mondli Makhanya, Sunday Independent's Jovial Rantao, Sunday Sun's Phalane Motale and City Press political editor Jimmy Seepe.

Ngcuka was attempting to brief the editors about the Scorpions investigation into allegations that Zuma had attempted to solicit a bribe from a company bidding for part of the arms deal.

The Scorpions chief also wanted to talk about an anonymous e-mail circulating in media circles containing defamatory allegations about his personal life.

What happened at the meeting became public knowledge because some of the editors broke the off-the-record undertaking they had made. The information they received from Ngcuka was "too juicy" to be left out of print.

The first to break the rule was Rantao, who called Mac Maharaj subject of an investigation by the Scorpions and informed the former transport minister that his wife would be charged for tax evasion. City Press was next to violate the off-the-record rule.

Ngcuka, who has not challenged the contents of press reports on the meeting, allegedly told the editors that the problem with Zuma was that he had "surrounded himself with Indians", and that this was why he was in trouble with the law, implying that Indians were corrupting him.

He told the editors Zuma could not meet his financial obligations and was being bankrolled by Schabir Shaik, who has been charged with corruption; and Vivian Reddy, a prominent KwaZuluNatal businessman.

Ngcuka has not charged Zuma with any crime, but has brought a raft of charges against Shaik and submitted details of Zuma's financial dealings to Parliament ethics committee, which cleared the deputy president of wrongdoing.

Ngcuka is also reported to have told the editors that the Kebble mining magnate family was bankrolling African National Congress officials and had bought cars for ANC Youth League members.

Mona is intent on confirming that Ngcuka said this when he testifies today. Makhanya has been "invited" to the commission, but has declined. Commission secretary John Bacon says Tsedu will appear next Friday.

Former Sunday Times journalist Ranjeni Munusamy has not been called yet as she is appealing a high court ruling that she must give evidence.

South Africans who have a love-hate relationship with the media must be rejoicing at this tragedy .

With acknowledgements to Xolani Xundu and the Business Day.