The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has no choice but to launch a criminal investigation into the role of former government arms procurer Chippy Shaik, the Democratic Alliance said on Tuesday.

Last week's guilty verdict handed down to his brother Schabir Shaik in the Durban High Court had shown there was corruption in the awarding of the corvette contract to the Thomson group and African Defence Systems (ADS), DA MP Eddie Trent said in the National Assembly.

"Schabir Shaik solicited a bribe from Thomson's on behalf of Deputy President Jacob Zuma, in return for the deputy president's protection. This proves they had something to hide," he said.

The new evidence also brought into sharp focus the role of Chippy, who was described in the judgment as, "central to this whole exercise (of putting together the arms deal), managing and driving it and privy to every bid, reaction, debate and response".

The joint investigation team (JIT) report found that despite Chippy Shaik's obvious conflict of interest (his brother's material interest in ADS), he did not properly recuse himself when the awarding of contracts to Thomsons and ADS was discussed.

Chippy Shaik also acted irregularly when he changed the minutes of another meeting, to reflect that a decision was taken to award a contract to BAe/SAAB. The contents and decision reflected in these minutes were later contested by the former secretary of defence.

"Therefore, in light of the judgment and his highly improper conduct *1 throughout the arms deal process, it is clear that the National Prosecuting Authority has no choice but to launch a criminal investigation into the role of Chippy Shaik," Trent said.

With acknowledgement to Sapa.

*1 He not only failed to recuse himself properly, he actively intervened prior to the contract being awarded to ensure that Thomson-CSF and ADS were not confronted with the nuisance of a competitive bid for the corvette combat suite.

Prima facie, such conduct is unlawfulness of a criminal nature.