The decision of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to appeal the ruling of the Pietermarizburg High Court is cynical and ill-considered.

While we respect the right of the NPA to appeal, this decision suggests that the NPA has not taken to heart the court's findings about the conduct of the prosecuting authority.

By not accepting the court's ruling, the NPA has lost a valuable opportunity to bring the relentless pursuit of Jacob Zuma to an end.

The decision suggests that personal pride, rather than reason, is driving the actions of the NPA.

Statement issued by Jessie Duarte, spokesperson for the African National Congress September 17 2008