Bloemfontein - A heated row over truckloads of security files from the apartheid era erupted at the Hefer Commission in Bloemfontein yesterday.

Two of the commission's main witnesses, African National Congress veteran Mac Maharaj and foreign affairs official Mo Shaik, had requested the files on Wednesday.

On Wednesday afternoon they submitted to the commission secretariat a seven-page list of the documents to be procured for them from the police and various intelligence agencies.

Shaik and Maharaj insisted that all were relevant to the commission's investigation into whether National Director of Public Prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka was an apartheid spy.

However, commission secretary John Bacon has since informed them that he needed a more specific list by Monday.

Yunis Shaik, appearing for his brother and Maharaj, objected to this and asked Judge Joos Hefer to allow a delay until more particulars become available.

Commission evidence leader Kessie Naidu, SC, said the list of requested documents included all files held by all intelligence agencies and the police of the apartheid government on a large number of organisations.

These ranged from the ANC and United Democratic Front to Cosatu and the International Labour Organisation.

He was told that it would take trucks to lug all the documents to the commission hearings in Bloemfontein, Naidu added.

Also, many of the documents probably contained privileged and protected information.

"They want us to get them tons of information within the next few days. Their request is too open-ended and unreasonable," Naidu said.

Hefer called on all parties "to provide us with the relevant information".

He granted Yunis Shaik's request that the commission support him and his clients if they should apply for clearance to view top secret documents.

With acknowledgements to Sapa and the Cape Times.