Zuma used code word ‘Eiffel Tower’ to accept R500 000-a-year bribe

Cape Town – Explosive documents obtained by the Sunday Times have revealed exactly how deep in the pockets of French arms dealer Thales were President Jacob Zuma and the ANC.

The newspaper reports how Thales’ South African attorney and secret fixer, Ajay Sooklal, allegedly arranged flights, fancy clothes and lavish hotel stays in Europe for Zuma when he was facing corruption charges.

Zuma also allegedly used the code words “Eiffel Tower”, which when translated meant “bribe”.

The documents handed to the Sunday Times are transcripts of testimony given under oath before retired Judge Phillip Levinsohn at confidential arbitration hearings earlier this year in a fee dispute between Sooklal and Thales.

According to the newspaper, the transcripts claim that Zuma used the code word “Eiffel Tower” to accept a R500 000-a-year bribe from Thales in return for political protection and to secure future business; that Thales gave the ANC €1m (about R14m) shortly before the corruption trial and that Thales bankrolled Zuma and Sooklal to jet around the world to meet with witnesses ahead of the corruption trial…

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