Maduna: I don't know about Zuma
2003-02-17 16:37
Cape town - Justice Minister Penuell Maduna says he does not know whether the Scorpions are investigating Deputy President Jacob Zuma for allegedly soliciting a R500 000 bribe from a company involved in the arms deal.
"I know as much as the media have reported," he told reporters in Cape Town.
Maduna - who is the politically accountable head of the Scorpions - added: "I am therefore not in the position to say whether there is a probe into the deputy president, or if there is one, when that will be concluded. I don't know."
Cabinet ministers did not investigate offences, he said.
"We have a totally different role to play and maybe it's the right way to do it, we leave all investigations in the hands of people with the necessary forensic skills and competence under the law to do so.
"Once they're ready to say they have concluded it they will do either of two things. People will either be told the whole thing has ended, and if it hasn't, people affected will be told on such and such a day, you will appear in court to face such and such charges.
Ready to co-operate
"I am not in a position to say when those who are investigating, whatever they are investigating, will conclude it."
Zuma has repeatedly claimed his innocence after allegations that he tried to solicit a half-a-million rand bribe from the former Southern African head of Thomson-CFS, Alain Thetard.
His office said last week Zuma had not been charged with any criminal offence, and "the continuing allegations and rumours linking him to corruption and bribery are ridiculous, malicious, insulting and defamatory".
Zuma was ready to defend himself and would co-operate with any law enforcement agency that could be investigating the case.
According to news reports, the Scorpions allegedly subpoenaed and obtained Zuma's banking records as part of its investigation into allegations he had asked for money to protect Thomson-CFS during the arms deal probe and to support the company in future projects.
An arrest warrant has been issued for Thetard, who is in France, and unwilling to stand trial in South Africa.
- SAPA