Zille gets spy tapes ... at last

Earlier on Thursday, documentation was handed over to the DA in the presence of its forensic expert who inspected the recording devices to make sure the chain of evidence was not broken. Picture: Ulrich J v Vuuren

Earlier on Thursday, documentation was handed over to the DA in the presence of its forensic expert who inspected the recording devices to make sure the chain of evidence was not broken. Picture: Ulrich J v Vuuren

Published Sep 4, 2014

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Pretoria - DA leader Helen Zille has finally been handed the long awaited spy tapes - for a second time in one day.

As she walked out of the High Court in Pretoria, Zille held the bag, with the words "tamper evident security bag" printed on it, containing the material, above her head.

Zille told reporters the bag contained transcripts of recordings and a memory stick.

"A forensic computing expert will take the bag from me," she said.

"I have only had this in my possession in the presence (of the expert)."

She told the media contingent outside of the court: “This is a very important piece of information, a culmination of 6 court cases.”

“Its a historic day, these documents are a symbol of democracy.”

There was a delay in the handing over of the tapes earlier on Thursday.

At about 1.30pm, Zille emerged from the North Gauteng High Court and told reporters: “I would like to say that I have the tapes, but unfortunately I don't.

“The deputy judge president first wants to study the (Supreme Court of Appeal) court order.”

Zille said she was told to return at 2.30pm.

Earlier on Thursday, documentation was handed over to the DA in the presence of its forensic expert who inspected the recording devices to make sure the chain of evidence was not broken.

There was some confusion in earlier reports about what had been handed to the DA leader.

Last week the Supreme Court of Appeal ruled that within five days the National Prosecuting Authority had to comply with a previous order, in an application brought by the DA, to release the tapes.

President Jacob Zuma had opposed the move.

Conversations on the recordings were cited by the National Prosecuting Authority as a reason to drop fraud and corruption charges against Zuma, shortly before he was sworn in as president in 2009.

The SCA ruled last week that the NPA had to comply with a previous order, in an application brought by the DA, to release the tapes.

Sapa and IOL

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