Cape Town - The Democratic Alliance (DA), South Africa's biggest opposition party, on Thursday filed papers with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) outlining why 783 counts of corruption, fraud, money laundering, and racketeering against President Jacob Zuma, should immediately be instituted.
In a statement, DA leader Mmusi Maimane said in the party's submission reiterates that charges against Zuma were irrationally dropped by the NPA in April 2009, just months before he was elected president.
"Prosecution must therefore continue without delay," said Maimane.
"However, in the unlikely event that President Zuma does in fact have materially new and relevant submissions to make, these ought to be considered by a court of law, not the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), Adv Shaun Abrahams."
The NPA gave Zuma and the DA until November 30, to submit representations. Zuma will have to submit papers containing fresh reasons on why he should not be prosecuted after the Supreme Court of Appeal ruled that the decision by Abrahams' predecessor Mokotedi Mpshe to drop the charges against Zuma was unlawful.
Maimane said if Zuma's submission includes new reasons why the charges should be dropped, they would like an opportunity to respond.
"Therefore we have requested the NPA shares these representations with all interested parties – including the DA – and that those interested parties are given an opportunity of 14 calendar days to comment on such representations."