Johannesburg

Wednesday

Mostly sunny. Pleasantly warm.

13°C
28°C

7 day forecasts

Mbeki: Arms deal not on agenda

2003-11-16 17:14

Cape Town - President Thabo Mbeki said on Sunday that the probe by the Scorpions into the involvement of French company Thales in the corruption scandal surrounding the arms deal will not be on his agenda when he visits France this week.

Responding to a question at a press conference in Cape Town Mbeki said the national directorate of public prosecutions had approached its counterpart in France for assistance on the matter.

Deputy president Jacob Zuma has been under investigation by the Scorpions for allegedly attempting to secure a bribe of R500 000 a year from French defence company Thomson-CSF - which has since been incorporated into the pan-European defence giant, Thales.

Despite having prima facie evidence against Zuma the unit decided not to prosecute him. The unit has reportedly approached their French counterparts to assist them with the investigation into Thales.

"It is a matter that is dealt with quietly. I am not part of the staff of the national directorate," Mbeki said

He said neither Justice Minister Penuell Maduna nor director of public prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka had raised the matter with him. "And they would not."

Mbeki will arrive in France on Monday for a three-day state visit with farm subsidies, Africa's economic development, and the 2010 World Cup bid likely to figure on the agenda.

Mbeki, making his fourth trip to France this year, will hold talks with French President Jacques Chirac, Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin, parliamentary deputies and business leaders during his stay.

- SAPA

inside news24

Cpt: 15-18°C Rain showers. Decreasing cloudiness. Mild. Pta: 16-31°C Morning clouds. Pleasantly warm.
Jhb: 13-28°C Mostly sunny. Pleasantly warm. Bloem: 12-30°C High level clouds. Pleasantly warm.
Dbn: 18-31°C Sprinkles early. More sun than clouds. Warm. PE: 14-23°C Drizzle. Broken clouds. Mild.
7 day forecasts...
Western Cape Eastern Cape Kwazulu Natal Gauteng

Germiston - 19:26:23 PM ROAD CLOSURE NOTICE - The on-ramp to the N3 southbound carriageway at the Geldenhuis Interchange will be closed from 9pm and 5am - signed detours will be in operation to guide traffic onto alternative routes More traffic reports...

Here are the winning Lotto numbers from the Saturday, November 7 draw.

18, 24, 25, 31, 35, 42 Bonus 38

Lotto plus: 4, 14, 17, 20, 21, 34 Bonus 3

SMS the word Lotto to 31222 to get lotto numbers sent directly to your phone. The service costs just R10 per month. 
More lotto numbers...

Jobs - Find your dream job

Bookkeeper

Gauteng - Pretoria
Cassel & Co

Bookkeeper

Gauteng - Johannesburg
Cassel & Co

Bookkeeper

Gauteng - Johannesburg
Cassel & Co

Cars - Search 1000's of new and used cars

AUDI

2008 A4 1.8T Multitronics from R 269 000

VOLKSWAGEN

Polo Classic 1.4 Trendline MY05
2008
R 106,900.00

AUDI

A4 1.8T FSi Ambition MY09
2009
R 299,000.00

CHEVROLET

Lumina 5.7 SS MY05
2005
R 189,900.00

Property - Find a new home

PLATTEKLOOF

Single Residential R849,000

KALK BAY

Single Residential R9,750,000

LYNNWOOD

Single Residential R2,400,000

Travel - Look, Book, Go!

Free Games - TOO MUCH NEWS? TAKE A BREAK!