The journalist at the centre of the spy probe has received threats from confidential sources warning her not to identify them.

In a sworn affidavit handed in as evidence to the Hefer Commission in Bloemfontein yesterday, Ranjeni Munusamy alleged her physical safety had been threatened more than once.

"Certain sources swore me to secrecy and told me that I would not be physically safe if I did (identify them)," she said, adding that sources had called her cellphone, warning her not to name names. "On each occasion, they reminded me of my obligation and their threat."

Munusamy was behind initial media reports that the ANC had once investigated National Director of Public Prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka on suspicion of acting as an agent for the apartheid government.

Munusamy's editor at the Sunday Times refused to publish the story, so she passed on the information to a reporter at City Press, who broke the story.

The allegations, which shook the ANC, emerged as Ngcuka's Scorpions unit probed charges that Deputy President Jacob Zuma had asked a French arms firm for a bribe in the arms deal.

Prosecutors said although they had evidence against Zuma, a case would be unwinnable, prompting him to rebuke Ngcuka for speaking out even though no charges were brought. Zuma has been invited to testify to the commission.

President Thabo Mbeki ordered retired judge Joos Hefer to report to him on whether Ngcuka had indeed spied for the apartheid government in the 1980s, and whether he and Justice Minister Penuell Maduna had abused their powers of office.

Hefer subpoenaed Munusamy, but her lawyers and media representatives said that making her testify would violate press freedom and could put her in danger.

Hefer, who opened his inquiry on Wednesday, ordered Munusamy to testify but said she would be allowed to object to specific questions, suggesting she would not have to name her sources.

However, he allowed her legal team to appeal against his ruling, which could take weeks. Hefer then postponed the hearings until October 22, ensuring a slow start to an inquiry that has yet to hear evidence on Ngcuka.

On Wednesday, ANC stalwart Mac Maharaj and Foreign Affairs official Mo Shaik succeeded in getting their opening submissions before the commission postponed to November 17.

The judge's ruling that Munusamy had to testify came despite morning-long appeals by Munusamy's advocate, John Campbell, and several media organisations that she should not be forced to give evidence or reveal her sources.

Other journalists whom the commission intended to call as witnesses could now also refuse to testify pending the outcome of Munusamy's review application. Among them are City Press reporter Elias Maluleke and the editors of both City Press and the Sunday Times.

Veteran journalist Raymond Louw's submission that journalists shouldn't be forced to testify was made on behalf of the SA National Editors' Forum, the Freedom of Expression Institute and the SA chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa. It was supported by the Media Workers' Association of South Africa, the International Press Institute and the International Federation of Journalists.

With acknowledgement to The Star.