DA receives timeline from NPA on possible Zuma prosecution

Note to editors: Please find the attached soundbite in English

The DA has today received a letter from the National Director of Public Prosecution, Adv. Shaun Abrahams, regarding our request that we are provided with the submissions by President Jacob Zuma on whether or not he should be prosecuted for the 783 counts of counts of corruption, fraud, racketeering and money-laundering against him.

Adv Abrahams has committed to respond to us by Thursday, 15 February on the representations.

We believe we are entitled to the representations as the main litigant in the ongoing battle to have the charges reinstated.

If we do not receive them we will consider approaching court to obtain them.

Adv. Abrahams has also stated that he will receive the recommendations on Friday, 23 February from his prosecuting team on whether or not to go ahead with the prosecution. Thereafter he will announce a date by which he will announce his decision.

Although painfully slow, we are pleased that at last there is a timetable relating to this matter.

We are keen for this matter to proceed, for Jacob Zuma to have his day in court. We will accordingly keep Adv. Abrahams to his undertakings in this letter.

Text of letter:

Text of the letter:

Minde Schapiro & Smith Attorneys PO Box 4040

Tyger Valley 7536

Dear Sir/Madam

STATE v JACOB GEDLEYIHLEKISA ZUMA

DURBAN CENTRAL CAS 1941/08/2003

Your letter, dated 12 February 2018, refers.

I have obtained the views of the prosecuting team, as well as that of my four Deputy National Directors of Public Prosecutions along with one of my legal advisors, which has necessitated me to acquire a legal opinion from senior counsel. It is projected that the legal opinion will reach my office before close of business on Wednesday, 14 February 2018. As such, I will respond to you by Thursday, 15 February 2018.

In my letter dated 9 December 2017, I recorded that I would communicate the process and timeline within which I intend to advise of my decision in terms of section 179(2) of the Constitution. In this regard, I have given the prosecuting team until 23 February 2018 to provide me with their recommendations. Once same has been received, I will advise on the way forward, including the date by which I intend to announce my decision in this matter.

Yours sincerely,

ADV SK ABRAHAMS

NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS

13 February 2018

ENDS

Statement issued by James Selfe MP, DA Federal Council Chairperson, 13 February 2018