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More people implicated in the arms deal could face legal action

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Former African National Congress (ANC) Member of Parliament and author Andrew Feinstein says the National Prosecuting Authority’s decision to prosecute former President Jacob Zuma gives hope that others who were implicated in the arms deal could also face legal action.

The NPA on Friday announced that Zuma will face 16 charges of corruption, fraud, money laundering and racketeering.

Feinstein says so far none of those implicated in the arms deal have faced legal action.

“Unfortunately as is the case with arms trade around the world nothing has happened to them but this gives us hope that the legal proceedings could be brought against successor company Thomson CSF  …we will now have to look at what possible proceedings could be brought t against the company, but in addition there is a possibility of legal action against a wide variety of players in the arms deal.”

According to Feinstein the NPA’s decision should have happened over a decade ago.

“I feel so good for South Africa because I think this is a vindication of our democracy, of our justice system and the rule of law. Unfortunately, this should have happened 12 or 13 years ago when Schabir Shaik was charged. The intention of the prosecutors was to charge Jacob Zuma with Mr Shaik, but of course it is far better late than never and bearing in mind that Schabir Shaik was found guilty of corrupting Mr Zuma, I look forward to there being a court process in which Mr Zuma faces the legal consequences of his actions.”

Click below for the full interview with Feinstein: 

https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4413501-jacobZuma2009Indictment.html

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