The Hefer Commission's focus should shift in the coming week from the spy claim against head prosecutor Bulelani Ngcuka to his alleged abuse of power.

Commission Secretary John Bacon said on Sunday that advocate Josiah Boale would testify on Tuesday about Ngcuka's alleged abuse of his office as national director of public prosecutions.

Boale was a former member of Ngcuka's National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Bacon said.

He had asked to testify before the commission.

After that, the commission hoped to establish more about an off-the-record meeting that Ngcuka called in July with a group of black editors, Bacon said.

Current and former editors who the commission wanted to call were the Mail and Guardian's Mondli Makhanya, former Sunday Times editor Mathatha Tsedu and former City Press editor Vusi Mona.

Mona has already officially complained about the meeting to the Public Protector, among others.

Former transport minister Mac Maharaj testified in detail in the past week about how Ngcuka allegedly "criminally defamed" him at this meeting.

The NPA is investigating Maharaj and his wife for alleged corruption.

Other journalists who are reportedly on the commission's list of potential witnesses are Elias Maluleke from the City Press and Joe Thloloe of e.tv. Both reported on allegations against Ngcuka.

It is not yet certain whether the journalists will submit to the commission's requests.

The South African National Editors' Forum (Sanef) called on Saturday for an immediate withdrawal of the calling of journalists to testify and provide documentation to the commission.

Journalist Ranjeni Munusamy, who first reported on the allegations against Ngcuka, is currently appealing against a high court ruling which forces her to testify. The Bloemfontein High Court recently turned down her application for protection against testifying before Judge Joos Hefer.

The new week's commission hearings will begin on Monday with further testimony by former intelligence operative Mo Shaik.

Advocate Marumo Moerane, Ngcuka's counsel, has still not finished cross-examining Shaik.

Meanwhile, Deputy President Jacob Zuma now has no choice but to testify before the Hefer Commission because he has been implicated by almost everyone, the Democratic Alliance said.

In a statement on Sunday, Democratic Alliance MP Sheila Camerer said the commission would have no credibility if Zuma did not appear, and Zuma's involvement in the seemingly unauthorised retention of a database of spy information needed to be clarified.

With acknowledgements to Charles Phahlane, Sapa and the Daily News.