Zuma Corruption Charges: NPA appeal a blatant delaying tactic to shield Zuma from his day in court
23 May 2016
Today’s decision by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to apply for leave to appeal the Zuma Corruption Case (aka Spy Tapes) to the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) is a blatant delaying tactic to shield Jacob Zuma from facing the 783 charges of corruption, fraud and racketeering levelled against him almost a decade ago.
The NPA waited until the 11th hour to announce its appeal – and in doing so effectively told the people of South Africa that more public money will fund the process to delay President Zuma from finally having his day in court.
The DA has long held that the decision taken by the then acting National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), Mokotedi Mpshe, to discontinue the prosecution was irrational, unreasonable and made with an ulterior political motive.
This position was vindicated by the North Gauteng High Court’s full bench when it found that “the envisaged prosecution against Mr Zuma was not tainted by the allegations against Mr McCarthy. Mr Zuma should face the Charges as outlined in the indictment.”
This matter presented the incumbent NDPP, Adv Shaun Abrahams, with an opportunity to show his independence and proceed with this prosecution as planned, and give Jacob Zuma a court date.
Sadly, this opportunity was missed.
The reasons advanced by Adv. Abrahams – that he was acting in the best interests of prosecutorial independence - is a farce. Abrahams is preoccupied with protecting President Zuma at all costs – no matter what the implications are for the Constitution, the taxpayer or due process. That Adv. Abrahams failed to consult Billy Downer is inexplicable considering Downer knows the case best and is inextricably linked to the matter.
The matter is simple: President Zuma will eventually have his day in court, and justice will prevail, no matter how many tricks and delaying tactics are used by the state. The DA will not let this matter rest. President Zuma will face justice.
Issued by Mabine Seabe, Spokesperson to the DA Leader, 23 Ma 2016
