Publication: The Times Issued: Date: 2007-12-30 Reporter: Paddy Harper

The Case Against Jacob Zuma...

 

Publication 

The Times
Date

2007-12-30
Reporter Paddy Harper

Web Link

www.thetimes.co.za

 

A blow-by-blow account detailing how Jacob Zuma allegedly received R4-million in 783 separate payments from convicted fraudster Schabir Shaik between October 1995 and July 2005 is contained in an indictment issued in the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Friday.

Zuma, says the 84-page document , abused his offices of MEC for Economic Affairs in KwaZulu-Natal, deputy president of the ANC, deputy president of the Republic and leader of government business to illegally further Shaik's business interests and those of French arms company Thint ­ in return for money .

Shaik, who is serving 15 years in jail for his role in the matter, benefited by using Zuma's name in business deals and by having Zuma either recommend him to potential partners or threaten potential competitors.

In certain deals, Shaik's Nkobi Group was "regarded as a BEE partner which met this criterion, inter alia, because of the corrupt relationship between Shaik and Zuma", says the indictment.

"Shaik and the Nkobi Group sought to secure business partners and business opportunities primarily by trading on Shaik's political connectivity. This was done in three main ways: firstly by advertising Shaik's political connectivity with Zuma by, for instance, advertising his relationship as financial adviser or special economic adviser to Zuma in his various offices.

"Secondly, by relying on Zuma to meet or correspond with prospective business partners in order to advance his private business interests.

"Thirdly, by threatening prospective business partners, explicitly or implicitly, that he would resort to Zuma if they did not act in accordance with Shaik's wishes."

Zuma allowed Shaik to act in this way as a result of the "benefits" received from Shaik, acting in conspiracy with Thint (then known as Thomson-CSF ). The indictment lists a total of 28 illegal interventions Zuma is alleged to have made on Shaik's behalf ­ in return for a total of R4-million.

The indictment includes most of the payments in a charge of general corruption, but also contains a separate charge of specific corruption stemming from an alleged bribe of R1- million from Thint, which Shaik was found guilty of having brokered on Zuma's behalf.

This payment, the indictment says, was aimed at having Zuma protect Thint and Shaik from arms deal investigations while he was SA's deputy president .

Money laundering and racketeering charges stem from Zuma allegedly being paid the money as part of a conspiracy involving Shaik, his companies, Thint and its management *1*2.

The fraud charges stem from Zuma's failure to declare benefits to the secretary of Parliament, while those of tax evasion relate to his failure to declare the income and benefits he received from Shaik, Thint and other sources.

Thint Holding (Southern Africa) (Pty) Ltd and Thint (Pty) Ltd, both represented by Thint director Pierre Moynot, have been indicted as Zuma's co-accused in specific corruption charge.

With acknowledgements to Paddy Harper and The Times.


*1       Luverly, luverly, luverly.


*2      Thomson-CSF (Thint) and its management, also part of  a conspiracy involving Thabo Mbeki in getting the Corvette Combat Suite Contract in the first place *3*4*5.


*3      Sweet, sweet music to the ears of Zuma and his supporters and the reason why they are now all calling in unison for a re-opening of the Arms Deal investigation.


*4      And who is also implicated in getting bribes from the German Submarine Consortium (GSC) in them winning the submarine contract *6.


*5      And who is also implicated in getting bribes from the German Frigate Consortium (GFC) in them winning the corvette contract *6.


*6      Luverly, luverly, luverly.


Two thoughts for the penultimate day of 2007 :
In the meantime, Ben Trovato is going to have to supp those XXXXs in Wagga Wagga without me.