Shaun Abrahams was ‘hellbent’ on charging us along with Jacob Zuma, Thales argues
But the NPA maintains Thales escaped being prosecuted with Zuma’s former financial adviser, Schabir Shaik, in 2003 through ‘trickery’
French arms company Thales — accused of bribing former president Jacob Zuma for his “political protection” from any potential investigation into the arms deal — has criticised former prosecutions boss Shaun Abrahams for being “hellbent” on charging it along with Zuma. On Tuesday, Thales asked the Pietermaritzburg high court to order that Abrahams’ decision “to [re]institute the criminal prosecution [of Thales] … is inconsistent with the constitution and invalid” and must be reviewed and set aside. It contends that Abrahams had no lawful power to reinstate the case against it and further wants the corruption case permanently stayed. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), however, argues that “Thales’ application for judicial review of Mr Abrahams’ decision to reinstitute the prosecution against it must fail because his decision was rational and lawful”. Thales contends the NPA is responsible for a decade-long delay in the case against it, because then acting NPA head Mokotedi ...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.