Zuma: State files 'battle plan'

2006-08-31 18:35

Pietermaritzburg - The State filed its heads of argument in Pietermaritzburg High Court on Thursday for former deputy president Jacob Zuma's corruption and fraud trial.

Described as "the battle plan", heads of argument are prepared by legal teams to set out their arguments in a clear and convincing way.

Heads of argument generally indicate the name and number of the case, a description of the parties, the background facts, the legal questions that arise, the applicable law and a conclusion.

Zuma's defence team and that of his co-accused filed their heads of argument on Monday.

Zuma's co-accused are the two Thint (formerly Thomson CSF) companies, which are subsidiaries of the French arms manufacturer Thales.

Zuma is expected to appear in court next Tuesday when he and Thint seek a permanent stay of prosecution. The State is seeking to have the case postponed until early next year.

- SAPA