Johannesburg : Patricia de Lille has called for the prosecution of 30 South African officials alleged by German investigators to have been given discounts on cars by a company linked to a bidder in the multimillion-rand arms deal.

De Lille said yesterday she had learned during her recent visit to Germany that 31 politicians, public servants and MPs had received vehicles at huge discounts from the German company DaimlerChrysler.

This company's sister, Daimler-Chrysler Aerospace, merged with other companies to form the European Aeronautic Defence and Space company (EADS), a member of a consortium awarded a contract in the arms deal.

The vehicles appear to have been among 33 cars bought from DaimlerChrysler by EADS.

Speaking to foreign journalists here yesterday, De Lille said the company had pleaded guilty in Germany to bribery relating to cars allegedly provided to top South African public officials in a bid to buy their influence in the arms procurement processes.

De Lille said she had asked National Prosecuting Authority head Vusi Pikoli to ask German prosecuting authorities for the information about the 31 people so they could be prosecuted.

She was also trying to get the names of the 31 people.

They include former ANC chief whip Tony Yengeni, convicted of fraud for failing to disclose to parliament a 48% discount he was given on a Mercedes-Benz 4x4.

With acknowledgements to Thokozani Mtshali and Cape Times.