Mabandla told of Zuma indictment
2008-01-04 08:29
Durban - Justice Minister Brigitte Mabandla was informed of the National Prosecuting Authority's decision to prosecute African National Congress President Jacob Zuma for corruption, fraud and racketeering.
Asked on Thursday whether Mabandla had been informed prior to the NPA filing the indictment in Pietermaritzburg High Court, her spokesperson Zolile Nqayi said: "She was informed."
He was not, however, able to say when Mabandla was actually informed of the NPA's decision to prosecute Zuma. The indictment was filed in Pietermaritzburg High Court on Friday last week.
Zuma faced 16 charges in total - one count of racketeering, two counts of corruption, one count of money laundering and 12 counts of fraud.
Selebi to be arrested
The two South African subsidiaries of Thales International (formerly Thomson-CFS) - Thint Holding (Southern Africa) Pty Ltd and Thint (Pty) Ltd - each faced a charge of racketeering, and two counts of corruption.
Suspended NPA boss Vusi Pikoli was suspended in September, with one of the allegations being that he had failed to inform Mabandla of the Scorpion's decision to seek arrest warrants for South Africa's national police commissioner, Jackie Selebi.
Selebi was to be arrested for alleged corruption, fraud, racketeering and defeating the ends of justice.
The warrants were subsequently cancelled after Pikoli's suspension.
Earlier in the day, Nqayi said he was not aware of whether the minister had studied the report yet on the NPA's decision regarding Selebi.
She was still on leave, he said.
- SAPA