Publication: Sapa Issued: Durban Date: 2008-01-08 Reporter: Sapa

Thint Not in Court before August : Sooklal

 

Publication 

Sapa
BC-ZUMA-NPA-THINT

Issued Durban
Date

2008-01-08
 

Jacob Zuma's two co-accused -- the two South African subsidiaries of French arms manufacturer Thales International -- are not making any plans to go to court before the August date set by the National Prosecuting Authority.

Ajay Sooklal, the attorney representing Thint Holding (Southern Africa) Pty Ltd and Thint (Pty) Ltd said on Tuesday there were no plans to go to court before August 4.

On December 27, the National Prosecuting Authority lodged an indictment in the Pietermaritzburg High Court.

African National Congress president Jacob Zuma faces 16 charges in total -- one count of racketeering, two counts of corruption, one count of money laundering and 12 counts of fraud.

The two Thint each face a charge of racketeering, money laundering and two counts of corruption.

"We will meet them (the NPA) on the 4th of August," said Sooklal.

Asked if Thint would possibly be seeking a permanent stay of prosecution *1, Sooklal said: I'm not going to run this trial through the media."

Zuma's lawyer Michael Hulley said shortly after the indictment was filed that Zuma planned to apply for a permanent stay of prosecution based on the belief that his right to a free trial had been infringed.

The corruption, racketeering and money laundering charges relate to an alleged R500 000 a year bribe secured for Zuma from Thint by convicted Durban businessman Schabir Shaik.

Most of the fraud charges relate to Zuma's alleged failure to disclose benefits received from Shaik to parliament and to the South African Revenue Services.

With acknowledgement to Sapa.


*1       This is going to be an interesting one.

The idiotic former National Director of Public Prosecutions, Bulelani Ngcuka made a puerile deal with Thomson-CSF that charges would be withdrawn against it for a written confirmation from Alain Thetard that he authored the encrypted fax.

What the idiot forgot to include in the deal was the requirement for an equivocal acknowledgement or explanation from Thetard of what the wording of the fax meant.

Now the slimy French pimpernel denies under oath the ordinary meaning of the fax.

It's truly enough to raise a bile - both at the ludicrousness of the deal and the conduct of the Frenchmen.


But it does surprise me - I really don't think Ngcuka wanted Zuma charged (this was too dangerous as has been found to the detriment of some among us) and I really think he didn't want Thomson-CSF charged (because it is a deal partner and benefactor of some among us and a certain political party).

But with some very nifty footwork Advocates Trengrove, Downer and Steynberg as well as a no nonsense trial judge, can pull a rabbit out of the legal hat.


If Thomson-CSF get the permanent stay of prosecution, Ben Trovato's got himself a permanent drinking buddy in Wagga Wagga.