The Scorpions have signalled their preparedness to entertain a plea bargain in the Jacob Zuma corruption case, Business Day reported on Wednesday.
It quoted a National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson as saying: ”We cannot rule out the possibility of a plea bargain.”
If a deal materialised, it would result in a ”non-custodial sentence”, said the newspaper.
This could conceivably open the way for the African National Congress deputy president to become the country’s next president.
Sources close to the Scorpions suggested there was little appetite within the organisation to see Zuma behind bars for 16 years, the minimum sentence in serious fraud cases.
Also on Wednesday, The Star reported Zuma would be handed a list of 105 state witnesses.
They included politicians, business people, lawyers and investigators in the corruption case against him.
The indictment is due to be handed to Zuma when he appears in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Saturday for his case to be referred to the Durban High Court.
His trial on two charges of corruption is to get under way on July 31 next year.
Independent Democrats leader Patricia de Lille is among three politicians expected to be called to testify. Also listed, is Ismail Ayob, former attorney of Nelson Mandela.
The ANC in Natal said it was making arrangements to ensure Zuma’s appearance on Saturday would go without incident.
ANC marshals would be on duty around the court building, where thousands of Zuma supporters were excepted to turn up.
Zuma’s previous appearance saw some Zuma supporters burning T-shirts bearing the image of President Thabo Mbeki. Insults were also shouted at some ANC leaders. – Sapa