The official opposition's call follows weeks after the ANC set up its own arms deal ad hoc committee to revisit the controversial weapons acquisition.

Themba Godi, chairperson of the standing committee on public accounts (Scopa), has asked the DA to motivate why the arms deal should be further probed by Scopa, because a joint investigating team set up by President Thabo Mbeki had found no evidence of improper conduct by government.

DA spokesperson Eddie Trent said the report of the investigation team - involving the National Director of Public Prosecutions, the Public Protector and the Auditor-General - was not satisfactory.

The fact that the ANC had established an ad hoc committee to probe the arms deal was proof that there were still a lot of unanswered questions around the deal, he said.

"The arms deal needs to be investigated by Scopa because this body has the power to call for evidence and documents and to subpoena witnesses. As the representative of the people, it is the only appropriate body to hold the executive to account on financial matters," he remarked.

"The original report of the Auditor-General which questioned the arms deal was presented to Scopa … so it's appropriate that Scopa investigates the arms deal.

"The ANC's ad hoc committee consists of people such as Siphiwe Nyanda, who was one of 33 people accused of accepting discounts from one of the arms deal companies," said Trent.

ANC Secretary-General Gwede Mantashe said the ANC would react to the DA's request when it was tabled in Parliament.

With acknowledgements to Sibusiso Ngalwa and Cape Times.