Ramaphosa seeks urgent court application in private prosecuting matter by Zuma

In a bid not to appear in court in January next year, President Cyril Ramaphosa intends to make an urgent application to the High Court in Johannesburg in a matter involving him and his predecessor Jacob Zuma.

This comes after Zuma instituted a private prosecution against Ramaphosa on the eve of the African National Congress (ANC) national elective conference.

ALSO READ: Ramaphosa gives Zuma until Monday to withdraw private prosecution

Zuma accused Ramaphosa of being an “accessory after the fact” in a criminal offence alleged against Advocate William Downer who is accused of improperly sharing information in terms of the NPA Act.

In recent weeks, Ramaphosa said in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Act, a private prosecution can only be instituted after the individual prosecuting has obtained a certificate of non-prosection.

Ramaphosa further argued that the certificate serves as a legal confirmation that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) will not proceed with the prosecution following its consideration of the charges.

“Mr. Zuma has not provided such a certificate with charges in the name of President Ramaphosa and the summon served to the President is hopelessly sub-standard and demonstrate absolute disregard of the law,” Ramaphosa said recently.

Ramaphosa intends to interdict Zuma from pursuing his private prosecution against him.

Ramaphosa also argues the private prosecution against him is unlawful and unconstitutional.

Meanwhile some have described the move by Zuma as an abuse of the country’s legal system.

ALSO READ: Zuma’s private prosecution against Ramaphosa slated