Advocate ‘was intimidated during investigation’

Johannesburg – The advocate leading the Scorpions’ probe into Deputy President Jacob Zuma and Schabir Shaik underwent a “campaign of intimidation” during a crucial stage of the arms deal investigation, the Sunday Times reported yesterday.

The senior investigator, advocate Gerda Ferreira, was assigned bodyguards after she was harassed by “a person or persons unknown”, according to affidavits submitted by the Scorpions to the Pretoria High Court.

Mrs Ferreira, who headed the probe into allegations of corruption and bribery against Mr Zuma and Mr Shaik was “subjected to intimidation and harassment, which we reasonably suspect to be linked to her involvement in the arms deal investigation”, said Scorpions advocate Leonard McCarthy in the affidavit.

Her home was repeatedly “unlocked” and a man posing as a journalist got into her office. Mrs Ferreira has since resigned from the Scorpions.

The National Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Bulelani Ngcuka, the National Prosecuting Authority and the Scorpions – respondents in Mr Zuma’s application to obtain a key document – are to appear in the Pretoria High Court today. – Sapa

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