Thales allegedly involved in bribery scandal

According to a piece by the South African Sunday Times, a spokesman for South African President Jacob Zuma received bribes from Thales between 1997 and 1999. According to the paper, the transport minister at the time, Mac Maharaj received 1.2 million French francs through an offshore bank account registered in his wife's name. This occured before Thales was awarded a credit card licence contract. The Sunday Times said that Thales spokesman Carol Davies said the company would investigate the allegations. South African paper, the Mail and Guardian claim they had parts of an article cencosored which contained information proving that Maharaj and his wife received bribes during his tenure as transport minister. Before publishing, the paper received a letter from Maharaj saying the article contrivined part of the National Prosecuting Authority Act. Maharaj has since laid charges against the reporters responsible for the story, saying they are in possession of a document illegally.