Jacob Zuma To Be Prosecuted, NPA Reinstates Charges Against Former South African President
Former South African President Jacob Zuma will face charges of corruption in a trial court. Shaun Abrahams, the National Director of Public Prosecutions, announced Friday afternoon that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has decided to reinstate charges of racketeering, corruption, money laundering and fraud against the former President of the ANC and the Republic of […]
Former South African President Jacob Zuma will face charges of corruption in a trial court. Shaun Abrahams, the National Director of Public Prosecutions, announced Friday afternoon that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has decided to reinstate charges of racketeering, corruption, money laundering and fraud against the former President of the ANC and the Republic of South Africa.
According to journalist Suzanne Brenner, the NPA head says he notified the former President in writing.
Delivering his decision on “Mr Zuma’s matter”, Abrahams said: “I am of the view that a trial court would be the most appropriate forum for these issues to be ventilated and to be decided upon.
“After consideration of the matter, I am of the view that there are reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution of Mr Zuma, on the charges listed in the indictment served on Mr Zuma…”.
He said that as a result, Jacob Zuma’s representations are unsuccessful.
The African National Congress (ANC) issued a statement immediately, saying it has noted the NPA’s decision and “reaffirms its confidence in our country’s criminal justice system and our respect for the independence of the judiciary. We equally affirm our commitment to the constitutionally enshrined principle of equality of all before the law.
“Accordingly we call on South Africans at large to afford the NPA space to conduct its work unhindered, we continue to assert the inalienable right of all in our country, including Comrade Jacob Zuma, to be presumed innocent until and if proven guilty.”
The civil rights organisation AfriForum meanwhile said it welcomes the announcement and that AfriForum Advocate Gerrie Nel, Head of the organisation’s Private Prosecuting Unit, will monitor the NPA’s actions to ensure that the prosecution runs smoothly.
According to Kallie Kriel, CEO of AfriForum, Abrahams took the decision that Zuma must be prosecuted with the knowledge that Nel would prosecute Zuma privately on behalf of AfriForum should the NPA not do this.
Watch Shaun Abrahams on “Mr Zuma’s Matter”
[WATCH] #ZumaCharges: NPA Shaun Abrahams has decided to prosecute former President Jacob Zuma. Courtesy #DStv403 pic.twitter.com/ayjM4qgrHI
— eNCA (@eNCA) March 16, 2018