JOHANNESBURG: The Scorpions have confirmed that they have reopened the investigation into the multibillion-rand arms deal, a Sunday newspaper has reported.

Scorpions spokesperson Tlali Tlali declined to give the newspaper details, but told it that after new evidence emerged in February, the unit's then-head, Leonard McCarthy, had ordered that the probe be reopened.

The newspaper said it had established that the focus of the probe included alleged kickbacks paid to politicians and government officials.

The ANC would defend itself against any allegation of wrongdoing, the party's national spokesperson, Jessie Duarte, said.

She challenged the Scorpions to produce evidence showing the ANC had acted improperly.

In a statement on Friday, Duarte said an ANC task team appointed to probe Jacob Zuma's role in the arms deal had found "no link" between the party's leader and the arms procurement processes. - Sapa

With acknowledgements to Sapa and Cape Times.