NPA throws Zuma a lifeline

South Africa President Jacob Zuma

South Africa President Jacob Zuma

Published Oct 20, 2017

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Johannesburg - The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has given President Jacob Zuma until  November 30 to make representation on why the corruption case against him should be withdrawn.

  

The NPA's request follows the Supreme Court of Appeal's  (SCA) ruling that the North Gauteng High Court had been correct in ruling that the NPA's decision to drop corruption charges against Zuma was irrational. 

Read:  #SpyTapes: SCA dismisses appeal by Zuma, NPA

 

In anticipation of the judgment, Zuma's lawyers wrote to the NPA, prior to the SCA ruling, requesting that no court proceedings should be brought against him before he is given an opportunity to make legal representation. 

 

The NPA has given Zuma the deadline, but have highlighted that any representation by Zuma should relate to matters not previously considered. 

 

"The National Director of Public Prosecutions is of the view that in light of the judgment of the SCA, it appears that any further representations envisaged by Mr Zuma should relate to issues not previously considered. As a result, Mr Zuma has been advised through his lawyers that he has until  30 November 2017 to submit any envisaged representations to the NDPP," said the NPA in a statement on Friday.

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The NPA said NDPP head, Shaun Abrahams,  had already met with Hawks head General Yolisa Matakata to verify the availability of witnesses. There are 218 names contained on the witness list linked to the corruption case against Zuma. 

 

The Hawks said they would need 30 days to gather all the witnesses. 

 

The NPA has also extended an invite to the DA, who had initially brought the case to the courts, to make representations regarding the case. 

 

Zuma faces 18 charges of corruption. 

Political Bureau

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