A South African office of BAE Systems, the UK’s biggest defence contractor, was raided by anti-corruption police yesterday in connection with a Serious Fraud Office (SFO) investigation into alleged bribery.

BAE confirmed that its office in Centurion, near Pretoria, had been visited but declined to give further details. The defence contractor has been under investigation by the SFO since 2003 over a £1.5 billion-pound deal to supply arms including military aircraft to the South African government.

BAE said: "We continue to support the SFO in its enquiries, with access to people, information and premises whenever requested and wholeheartedly support a rigorous approach in the hope that it brings to a conclusion enquiries.

"We are not prepared to comment on whether any specific individual has been questioned as to do so is wrong and might also prejudice the investigation, which we are not prepared to do."

BAE was one of several companies raided yesterday in a combined swoop by The Scorpions, an elite South African police unit that fights organised crime and corruption.

South Africa's National Prosecuting Authority confirmed that it had carried out raids at a number of business and residential addresses but declined to name any businesses or individuals involved.

South African prosecutors have been investigating alleged corruption and bribery in arms deals since 1999.

The probe has seen charges filed against Jacob Zuma, the leader of the African National Congress who is expected to become president next year. The charges were dropped on technical grounds although prosecutors have lodged an appeal.

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