Publication: Business Day Issued: Date: 2006-02-14 Reporter: Ernest Mabuza Reporter:

Not the First Time for Shongwe and Zuma

 

Publication 

Business Day
Date 2006-02-14

Reporter

 Ernest Mabuza

Web Link

www.businessday.co.za

 

When Transvaal Deputy Judge President Jeremiah Shongwe presides over the rape trial of former deputy president Jacob Zuma, it will not be the first time he hears a matter involving the politician.

Despite his own past with the former deputy president, Shongwe is set to replace Judge President Bernard Ngoepe, who recused himself yesterday because of his own role in granting search warrants on Zuma’s properties.

In September 2003, Shongwe dismissed Zuma’s urgent application to obtain the notorious encrypted fax that allegedly implicated him in bribery.

The fax apparently sets out the terms of, and participants in, a bribe linking the local representative of the French defence company Thales, Alain Thetard, convicted businessman Schabir Shaik and Zuma. *1

Shongwe dismissed the application on the basis that it was not urgent and that a date could be arranged on the ordinary court roll.

Shongwe was one of three attorneys who, in December 2000, were appointed judges of the Transvaal Provincial Division. He has been acting deputy judge president since August last year.

With acknowledgements to Ernest Mabuza and Business Day.


*1  After and according to the judgment in the Shaik case, this is effectively legal fact.