Publication: Sunday Argus Issued: Date: 2005-10-16 Reporter: Alide Dasnois

French Help in Thales Probe 'Not Certain'

 

Publication 

Sunday Argus

Date

2005-10-16

Reporter

 Alide Dasnois

Web Link

www.capeargus.co.za

 

The National Prosecuting Authority may have spoiled its chances of getting help from French authorities before the trial of former deputy president Jacob Zuma by concluding a deal with French electronics and arms company Thales in May last year.

The deal secured for the NPA the written testimony of Thales executive Alain Thetard in the trial of Zuma's adviser Schabir Shaik in exchange for a promise that Thales would not be prosecuted in the Shaik case.

Legal sources in South Africa have suggested that this deal might not apply in the Zuma trial, due to start next year, and that this time Thales and its South African subsidiary might be among the accused.

Adding weight to speculation that Thales might not escape prosecution a second time are the raids by the Scorpions of the Pretoria offices and home of Thales representative in South Africa Pierre Moynot *1 in August.

But the co-operation of the French authorities in any investigation of Thales is far from certain. French officials, while emphasising France's willingness to co-operate with South Africa in the framework of the Judicial Co-operation Convention signed by the two countries in March 2004, suggested this week that Paris would take a dim view of any attempt to go back on the deal with Thales.

"Thales was let off by the South African prosecutors in return for information *2. Unless new information has come to light, to go back on this deal a year later would show a lack of coherence. It would suggest that South African justice does not take into account a decision which was taken by its own officials, at the highest level *3," said one senior civil servant who did not want to be named.

If the Scorpions do want French help in an investigation of Thales, the request would have to be made officially. French authorities have co-operated with the Scorpions in the past.

After a request in September 2001, a French judge, Edith Boizette, assisted in the Scorpions' investigation of Thales' headquarters in Paris. A second request, in 2003, was delayed. A further request came at the beginning of 2004 but fell away after the deal between the NPA and Thales in May.

"France has always co-operated with South Africa in the context of procedures recognised by both countries," said Denis Simonneau, deputy spokesman for the ministry of foreign affairs in Paris.

With acknowledgements to Alida Dasnois and Sunday Argus.


*1  Of "charming Gallic candour" fame.

*2  When charming Gallic candour turns to deceit and subterfuge.
*3  The Two Morons again - outwitted by the charming Frenchman represented by Kessie Naidu SC.