Swedish anti-corruption authorities are poised to join their counterparts in Britain and Germany in probing allegations that their nationals bribed South Africans in the arms deal. The opening of a third international front will increase pressure on the South African authorities to join the investigative offensive.

Astonishing new allegations relating to the ”hoax e-mail” affair and the sacking of former National Intelligence Agency director general Billy Masetlha have emerged from a previously secret affidavit. In it the former spy boss accuses Intelligence Minister Ronnie Kasrils of being the tool of a sinister ”grouping” that was pursuing political objectives with the help of a unit within the Scorpions.

Classified papers filed in Billy Masetlha’s court application to be reinstated as the chief of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) have exposed details of the agency’s botched surveillance of business-person Saki Macozoma. Masetlha was suspended as director general of the NIA in October 2005 following the Macozoma fiasco.

Details emerging from the German corruption probe into defence and steel conglomerate ThyssenKrupp have thrown dramatic new light on two men named in the very first allegations concerning the South African arms deal. One is Shamin “Chippy” Shaik, former chief of acquisitions for the defence department.

It wasn’t just defence minister Joe Modise who, after being wined and dined by British Aerospace in the early Nineties, pushed through a deal for Hawk jets that South Africa could ill afford. In this endeavour he was supported by two white South Africans, Ron Haywood and Llew Swan. How these three got together is still not entirely clear.

PetroSA is finally taking Imvume to court for defaulting on its Oilgate debt -– but the oil parastatal will let Imvume off the hook for millions of rands in interest owed. Previous attempts by PetroSA to recover the R18-million debt have been feeble. The parastatal justified its soft approach by saying that if Imvume were liquidated “there would be very little proceeds flowing into PetroSA”.

The Guardian expose? highlights corrupt payments to Saudi authorities.

BAE Systems, the defence conglomerate that secured a R30-billion South African order for Hawk jet trainers and Gripen fighters, developed an extensive web of influence in South Africa. The Mail & Guardian charts who the main players are and what they have to say about the SFO’s allegations.