thint criminal case put on hold 
04 August 2008

The criminal case against ANC President Jacob Zuma's corruption co-accused has been postponed to December 8 this year.  Pietermaritzburg High Court Judge Chris Nicholson postponed the case against French arms company Thint, which is accused of offering Zuma a R500 000 bribe in exchange for his protection from a potentially damaging arms deal enquiry after consulting with lawyers for Zuma, Thint and the state.

Thint CEO Pierre Moynot, who has been sharing the dock with Zuma throughout his current application to have his prosecution declared invalid, left court after the postponement announcement.  State advocate Billy Downer revealed that the state's postponement agreement with the National Prosecuting Authority also included references to Zuma's mooted bid to have the case against him permanently stayed. It is understood that the timing of this application will be determined after Zuma's latest case has been finalised.

While waiting for his lawyers to finish their meeting with the judge and state, Zuma joked with Cosatu leader Zwelinzima Vavi and greeted former spy boss Billy Masetlha - who is currently battling a criminal case related to the so-called "hoax email" saga.  Zuma's advocate Kemp J Kemp is now continuing with his argument that Zuma's prosecution was invalid because National Directors of Public Prosecutions Vusi Pikoli and Mokotedi Mpshe failed to consult with him before overturning the state's 2003 decision not to charge him.
 
Karyn Maughan and Tania Broughton, www.iol.co.za