Cape Town - The French are prepared to co-operate fully with the Scorpions on evidence about the arms deal and two French citizens.

This could cause problems for deputy president Jacob Zuma and Durban businessman Schabir Shaik, who is facing charges in connection with the arms deal.

Justice Minister Penuell Maduna has confirmed that French authorities will help the Scorpions, who report to Maduna's department.

"We will get this evidence. France has appointed a magistrate, Edith Boisette, to help us", Maduna said at a session of the judicial service commssion discussing the appointment of judges to the Constitutional Court.

"South Africa has legal-aid agreements with numerous countries."

"When the Israelis, for example, were looking for information regarding Ariel Sharon, the Israeli premier, we appointed a Cape Town magistrate to help them contact the right people."

Maduna says South Africa is prepared not to prosecute two French citizens, Alain Thetard and Jean Paul Perrier of French arms manufacturer Thales, formerly known as Thomson CSF.

"If indemnity can help us to get information from people, it will be done."

Depending on the evidence, Zuma still can be prosecuted on charges of corruption.

An application from Zuma to see a handwritten French fax that allegedly links him to Thales, still has to be heard in Pretoria High Court.

The fax is included in the charge-sheet against Shaik, Zuma's financial adviser. Shaik has to appear in court on a charge of corruption.

A secret meeting between Zuma, Shaik and Thetart in Durban on March 11 2000 is apparently mentioned in the fax. Zuma denies this meeting took place.

Maduna said on Wednesday this evidence definitely would strengthen their case against Shaik.

"If this wasn't the case, we wouldn't have tried so hard to get the evidence."

With acknowledgements to Anesca Smith and Die Burger.