Zuma trial good for SA - State
2006-08-31 21:10
Pietermaritzburg - Jacob Zuma's corruption trial would be good for South Africa and the man himself, who aspired to be president, said the State in heads of argument filed in Pietermaritzburg High Court on Thursday.
Rejecting the former deputy president's application for a permanent stay of prosecution on charges of corruption, the State said: "If the first accused will be a candidate for high public office at the end of next year, then it is all the more important that his prosecution should not be stifled.
"There should be a full, open and public judicial inquiry into, and determination of, the very serious charges against him.
"If he is innocent, then it is of vital importance to him, his party and the country that his innocence be established.
"If he is guilty on the other hand, then it is vitally important that his guilt be exposed for all to see.
"It is in nobody's interests for the judicial determination of this matter to be suppressed."
'Social prejudice'
The State said it "cannot be held hostage" to Zuma's hopes to "stand for high office".
The case was "one of the highest public interest".
Referring to Zuma and his co-accused - the two Thint (formerly Thomson-CSF) companies - which are subsidiaries of French arms manufacturer Thales, the State said: "Striking the matter from the roll will not ameliorate the social prejudice of which the accused complain.
"They will continue to live under the cloud of suspicion that is described in their affidavits."
Zuma had claimed that the prejudice as a result of the charges laid against him had made him "unemployed and quite unemployable".
Rejecting Zuma's allegation, the State said: "He does not indicate what employment he applied for, when he applied for it or what response he received.
"He does not even indicate what sort of employment he is qualified for or interested in."
It was pointed out that Zuma still held the position of deputy president of the African National Congress.
Described as "the battle plan", heads of argument are prepared by legal teams to set out their arguments in a clear and convincing way.
Wants permanent stay of prosecution
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 is expected to appear in court on 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