UPDATE: NPA gives reasons for why it’s dropping Duduzane’s charges

The NPA has confirmed Duduzane Zuma’s corruption charges will be dropped, EWN reports. Zuma is not completely off the hook though, as the NPA say the reason for dropping the charges is that the evidence Mcebisi Jonas is giving at the commission of inquiry into state capture has not yet been finalised.

Business Day reported earlier that the charges, relating to his alleged involvement in an attempt to bribe former deputy minister Mcebisi Jonas, were expected to be provisionally withdrawn by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA),

The young Zuma is due back in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Thursday, where the NPA will announce withdrawal of the charges, according to a letter it sent Zuma’s lawyers.

According to the publication, Zuma’s legal team refused to comment until the finalisation of the court process tomorrow, January 24.

The spokesperson for the NPA, Phindi Louw-Mjonondwane, said the state would also only comment after court proceedings on Thursday.

It is understood that Zuma’s lawyers were notified on Tuesday about the decision via the letter.

The letter, which The Citizen has seen and which can be read below, gives as its reason for the withdrawal the “fact that Mr Jonas’s evidence before the” Zondo commission “has not been finalised”, adding that it is “in the interests of justice not to proceed with the criminal case at this stage.”

Zuma has been charged with corruption arising from the role he played in a failed attempt to bribe then deputy finance minister Jonas at the Gupta family’s Saxonwold home in October 2015.

It is alleged that, at the meeting, Duduzane, businessperson Fana Hlongwane, and Ajay Gupta offered Jonas the job of finance minister and a bribe of R600 million.

(Compiled by Makhosandile Zulu)

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