Arms deal crusader and activist Terry Crawford-Browne is to oppose Finance Minister Trevor Manuel's court application for a gagging order.

In his urgent application, filed earlier this month, Manuel asked the Cape High Court to grant an order preventing Crawford-Browne, head of Ecaar SA, from making defamatory allegations against him.

In papers, Manuel says comments made by Crawford-Browne about prosecuting authorities' failure to charge him in connection with alleged corruption related to the arms deal were defamatory and unlawful.

Crawford-Browne has filed notice of his intention to oppose the application, but has not yet filed any opposing papers.

The application is to be argued on Monday.

fatima.schroeder@inl.co.za

With acknowledgement to Fatima Schroeder and Cape Times.