The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has welcomed the Pietermaritzburg’s High Court ruling dismissing an application by the French arms company, Thales, in which the company was challenging the racketeering charge against it.
The case emanates from the alleged fraud and corruption in the procurement of arms and weapons allegedly involving former President Jacob Zuma and Thales.
It was a short appearance, and Judge Piet Koen only read an order of the judgment. The judgment follows an application brought by Thales last year.
Among its arguments was that it was not aware or involved in the relationship shared by former President Jacob Zuma and Thint, a subsidiary of Thales. However, the state pointed to a questionable payment of R250 000 from Thales to one of Zuma’s then financial advisor, Shabir Shaik’s companies, and then to Zuma’s Development Africa Trust as fraudulent business deals that were meant to conceal the bribe.
Thales racketeering charges dismissed:
NPA Spokesperson Sipho Ngwema says the ruling shows that Thales has a case to answer. “The NPA welcomes the decision of the High Court of South Africa: KwaZulu-Natal Division, Pietermaritzburg to dismiss the application of the French arms company Thales, challenging racketeering charges against it. We look forward to the criminal hearing.”
In their findings, the judges that preside over the application concluded that the evidence brought before the court was sufficient to conclude that Thales directly or indirectly participated in racketeering activities.
Meanwhile, Zuma and Thales will be back in court on 23 February for pre-trial matters:
