The state filed about 500 pages of papers in the Pietermaritzburg High Court yesterday evening in response to submissions by Jacob Zuma in his corruption trial.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Makhosini Nkosi said they forwarded copies of their affidavits to the defence attorneys representing Zuma and his co-accused, French arms company Thint, which is represented by Pierre Moynot.

The affidavits are in response to papers filed by the defence in opposition to the state’s application for a postponement of the trial and also the defence’s counter-application for a permanent stay of prosecution or alternatively for the matter to be struck off the court roll.

Nkosi said that seven individuals: advocate Vusi Pikoli, the NDPP and head of the NPA; his predecessor Bulelani Ngcuka; former Justice minister Dr Penuel Maduna; the current head of the Scorpions, advocate Leonard McCarthy; advocates Billy Downer SC and Anton Steynberg and Scorpions investigator Johan du Plooy, have all made affidavits to support the state.

He said the affidavits amount to 500 pages and deal exhaustively with allegations by Zuma —which include a theory that President Thabo Mbeki was invloved in a plot against him — and the other accused in papers filed two weeks ago.

“The NPA has decided not to issue any of its affidavits outside of the current court processes in due deference and respect to the court. This was after Judge Herbert Msimang indicated that the court would not issue the papers to the public until he had studied them,” he said.

Nkosi added that in line with their policy, they will not comment on the matter as it is sub judice.

“We shall also refrain from issuing any of the documents in the state’s possession to the media,” he said.

With acknowledgement to Sharika Regchand and The Witness.