The ANC is planning to reopen an independent probe into the multibillion-rand arms deal, which has been tainted by bribery involving some of the party’s top leaders.

The plan to launch a fresh inquiry into the controversial acquisition of weapons worth about R40-billion was revealed yesterday by ANC National Executive Committee members Nomvula Mokonyane during an e.tv election debate in Khayelitsha.

She made the revelation when pressed by anchor Dan Moyane to vouch that a transparent ANC would launch an independent probe into the deal.

She said there was a “dramatic departure” *1 in Polokwane of people who had been a “stumbling block” to transparency *2, and that the post-Polokwane leadership of the ANC was ready to launch a fresh probe.

The NEC task team which was appointed to gather information and advise the party on the arms deal was due to provide options for the inquiry.

“It will come up with options: either a judicial commission or an ordinary commission,” Mokonyane said.

She was referring to long-standing calls by opposition leaders for a fresh probe.

Judge Chris Nicholson, in his overturned judgment last year that ANC president Jacob Zuma not be charged, called for a commission of inquiry. Zuma stands indicted for allegedly soliciting bribes from an arms firm.