Thales legal representative asks the state to drop arms deal charges

The legal representatives for Thales South Africa, the local subsidiary of the French arms company, have argued in the Pietermaritzburg High Court that their right to a fair trial has suffered irreparable harm in the corruption case, which also involves former President Jacob Zuma.

Advocate Barry Roux has told the court on behalf of Thales that the two directors of the company between 1996 and 2002 have both passed away since 2021.

He is, therefore, asking the court to make a finding that their fair trial rights have suffered irreparable harm, leaving it up to the State to withdraw charges.

Advocate Roux has argued that without Alain Thetard and Pierre Moynot, Thales South Africa will be unable to call any witnesses to gainsay the state’s evidence of corruption, racketeering and money laundering.

“Should we not wait till the trial to argue that? We say, My Lord, what is it I’m going to say in trial? Stand up in the beginning and say we don’t have any witnesses on all 783. We don’t have witnesses. And the court will say, well we will determine at the end of the day the relevance of that. And I can tell you now what the relevance is: I cannot call anyone. I do not have anyone, whatever the witness is going to say, if it’s true or not true.”

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