Pretoria - Deputy President Jacob Zuma has no choice but to testify before the Hefer Commission since he has been implicated by just about everyone, the DA has said.

In a statement yesterday, DA MP Sheila Camerer said the commission would have no credibility if Zuma did not appear to explain his involvement in the seemingly unauthorised retention of a database of spy information.

"Deputy President Zuma is the only person able to corroborate the testimony presented. He has repeatedly bemoaned the fact that he was never granted the opportunity to state his side of the story; what better platform is he waiting for?"

Mo Shaik has told the commission he has a database of 888 ANC members suspected of being spies for the apartheid regime. Justice Minister Penuell Maduna had asked him for the list, but Zuma told him to divulge nothing and not to hand any documents to Maduna or anyone else.

The ANC previously said that all information on suspected spies had been handed to the intelligence agencies. There was therefore no need for Zuma to appear before the commission. Zuma's office would not comment, saying it was an ANC matter. The ANC could not be reached yesterday for comment.

DA MP Philip Schalkwyk said he would ask the joint standing committee on intelligence to investigate claims by Shaik that he had a database of suspected spies. The information appeared to be National Intelligence Agency property.

With acknowledgements to Charles Phahlane and the Cape Times.