Zuma to answer 35 questions about his finances and the arms deal

Deputy President Jacob Zuma has been sent a list of questions by the Scorpions investigation unit about his financial interests since 1994 as part of a probe into the multibillion-rand arms deal.

The list of 35 questions, sent to Zuma's Durban attorneys on July 9, relate to the Deputy President's relationship with his financial adviser, Durban businessman Schabir Shaik, and Shaik's company Nkobi Holdings. Questions are also asked about financial benefits from various sources, including former President Nelson Mandela, and Zuma's debts.

The Scorpions have asked Zuma to provide details of all expenses he paid on behalf of the ANC since 1994 as well as his personal income since then, suggesting that the investigation has expanded beyond the arms deal.

All diaries, official and private, travel plans and itineraries kept since 1995 have been requested.

The delivery of questions to Zuma comes after months of speculation that the Deputy President was under investigation by the National Prosecuting Authority. He is alleged to have tried to solicit R500 000 from a company that benefited from the arms deal to protect it during a subsequent investigation.

The Scorpions have, among other things, asked Zuma to explain:

His knowledge of or involvement in a business relationship between Shaik and the Nkobi Group , on one hand, and Jean-Paul Perrier, Alain Thétard and Pierre Moynot of Thomson-CSF France, the company that allegedly paid the bribe;

His knowledge of the R265-million contract to supply credit-card driver's licences, a contract to build a new international airport in Durban and a contract to supply new national identity cards; and

His knowledge of or involvement in the acquisition of armaments by the Department of Defence, and specifically the role of Parliament in the acquisition process and the involvement of the Nkobi Group in the corvette programme.

The Sunday Times can also reveal today that former Transport Minister Mac Maharaj and his wife Zarina have been subpoenaed and subjected to questioning by the Scorpions.

The Maharajs are being investigated in connection with their relationship with Shaik and Nkobi, payments and gifts worth more than R500 000, and the credit-card driver's licence contract. One of Shaik's companies, Kobitech, is part of the consortium, Prodiba, that won the contract.

In addition, Shaik - also slapped with a subpoena - is to report to the Scorpions' Pretoria office on Tuesday to answer questions about his relationship with the Maharajs. He lost a court bid challenging an earlier subpoena to answer questions about Zuma.

The developments coincide with claims by the National Director of Public Prosecutions, Bulelani Ngcuka, that he is a target of a smear campaign by members of the ANC under investigation by the Scorpions, who fall under his authority.

Scorpions spokesman Sipho Ngwema confirmed yesterday that Zuma had been sent the questions but said he could not comment on them.

He would not say why investigators were examining Zuma's personal and ANC financial activities since 1994 except that they were "looking for certain preliminary information". Zuma has been given until Thursday to respond to the questions but his lawyers are likely to request more time.

In a letter to Zuma's attorney, Russel MacDonald, Deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions Leonard McCarthy, said Zuma was "invited to respond in writing" to the questions.

"He is, however, not compelled to submit an affidavit or to offer any incriminating evidence since his evidence is not obtained in terms of Section 28 of the National Prosecuting Authority Act," McCarthy said.

Zuma's spokesman, Lakela Kaunda, said: "If there are any allegations against the Deputy President they should be investigated properly and professionally through the correct legal structures and concluded.

"The investigation and quasi-prosecution must not be conducted through the media. We therefore question the motives of people who keep leaking information to the media and believe the public should do the same."

With acknowledgements to Ranjeni Munusamy, Jessica Bezuidenhout and the Sunday Times.