The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has confirmed that French arms manufacturer, Thales, has served it with an application in former president Jacob Zuma’s corruption case which is related to the multi-billion-rand arms deal.
Thales wants to stop the prosecution and be acquitted on all charges.
It says in its founding affidavit that its constitutional rights to a fair trial have been violated.
NPA Spokesperson, Advocate Mthunzi Mhaga, says they will vigorously argue in opposition to Thales’ application.
The state first charged Thales together with Zuma’s former financial adviser, Schabir Shaik, in 2004.
Shaik was convicted and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment
But the charges were withdrawn after an agreement with the state.
When charges were re-instated against Thales in 2018, it applied for a permanent stay of prosecution which was dismissed.
RELATED VIDEO | Thales application to challenge racketeering charges dismissed:
Politics – SABC News – Breaking news, special reports, world, business, sport coverage of all South African current events. Africa’s news leader.