Publication: Cape Argus Issued: Date: 2006-12-07 Reporter: Sivuyile Mangxamba Reporter:

There are Grounds to Charge Zuma - NPA

 

Publication 

Cape Argus

Date

2006-12-07

Reporter

Sivuyile Mangxamba

Web Link

www.capeargus.co.za

 

'Appeal Court confirmed trial court findings'

There are grounds to believe that former deputy president Jacob Zuma and the Thint companies have committed corruption and money laundering, says the National Prosecuting Authority in its application for assistance to obtain crucial documents held in Mauritius.

NPA investigator Isak du Plooy filed the affidavit in the Durban High Court this week. He is asking the court to issue a letter of request for Mauritian authorities to be used in the case, if prosecuting authority director Vusi Pikoli decides to reinstate the charges.

"I am advised that there are at least reasonable grounds for believing that, at least, the offences of corruption and money laundering have been committed ... by Zuma and the Thint companies," says Du Plooy in the affidavit.

The Pietermaritzburg High Court struck Zuma's case off the roll in September.

The NPA filed the affidavit on Tuesday, asking for assistance in its bid to obtain files and a Thint official's diary, which could hold crucial information linking Zuma, Schabir Shaik and Thint Holdings.

In the affidavit, the State says it believes that charges could be re-instated.

The State's case was bolstered by Schabir Shaik's conviction and that it was upheld by the Supreme Court of Appeals. Shaik is serving a sentence for corruption.

A letter of request has also been written to the attorney-general in Mauritius asking for documents.

"There is a reasonable prospect that charges could, in the future, be re-instituted against one or more of the erstwhile accused and/or others, more particularly since the Supreme Court of Appeal has, in the interim, comprehensively confirmed the findings of the trial court," said Du Plooy.

Thint's lawyers have indicated that they would oppose the application. Zuma's lawyer, Michael Hulley, could not be reached yesterday.

With acknowledgements to Sivuyile Mangxamba and Cape Argus.


*1       Charges should be re-instated.