Publication: Cape Times Issued: Date: 2006-11-24 Reporter: Zelda Venter Reporter:

Thint Gets Leave to Appeal over Scorpions Raid

 

Publication 

Cape Times
Date

2006-11-24

Reporter

 Zelda Venter

Web Link

www.capetimes.co.za

 

PRETORIA : French arms dealer Thint, former deputy president Jacob Zuma's co-accused in his corruption trial which was earlier struck off the roll, yesterday successfully applied for leave to appeal against an order in which the court failed to declare invalid warrants used by the Scorpions to raid their offices.

Judge Ben du Plessis gave Thint, as well as its managing director Pierre Moynot, the go-ahead to take their plight to the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein.

Judge Du Plessis in July this year turned down their application to set aside warrants issued by Transvaal Judge President Bernard Ngoepe, and declare the search and seizure of documents and electronically stored information unlawful and to order the return of the seized items.

Items seized from the Moynot home have already been returned after the National Director of Public Prosecutions and head of the Scorpions conceded that the warrant was invalid.

The Scorpions' raid was part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of corruption and money laundering regarding government contracts for the supply of arms.

Thint was initially charged with Schabir Shaik and various corporate entities, but charges were withdrawn against it. Shaik is currently serving 15 years on these charges.

Thint earlier contended that the warrant granted by Judge Ngoepe had been "unlawfully and improperly" obtained as not all the material facts were disclosed to the judge.

With acknowledgement to Zelda Venter and Cape Times.