Former president Jacob Zuma speaks during a press conference in Sandton, Johannesburg, 22 October 2022. Picture: Michel Bega
Just days after surviving the impeachment vote earlier this week, experts say this is just the beginning of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s problems, following a notice of a private prosecution bid by Jacob Zuma.
Although Ramaphosa rejected what he called abuse of legal processes and perversion of the nolle prosequi (private prosecution) provision, political analyst André Duvenhage slammed both, saying they were abusing the legal system as a part of a bigger battle to control the country.
“It is very interesting how politicians are using and misusing the legal system to get rid of their opponents,” Duvenhage said. “Yes, Ramaphosa has been winning some political battles, and maybe even came out as the leader of the ANC, but the legal process will still continue. I don’t think this is the end of his troubles. He is in a tight spot. But so is Zuma.”
This comes after the Jacob Zuma Foundation said Ramaphosa had been charged in a private prosecution “for being an accessory after the fact in the crimes committed by, among others, advocate [Billy] Downer namely, breaching the provisions of the NPA [National Prosecuting Authority] Act.”
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The Presidency said that Zuma was abusing legal processes.
“In accordance with the Criminal Procedure Act, a private prosecution can only be instituted after the individual prosecuting has obtained a certificate of non-prosecution.
“This serves as a legal confirmation that the NPA will not proceed with the prosecution following its consideration of the charges,” the Presidency said.
“Mr Zuma has not provided such a certificate with charges in the name of Ramaphosa. The summons served to the president is hopelessly sub-standard and demonstrates absolute disregard of the law.”
However, Duvenhage said this process has changed the political landscape in the country.
“I think there is a prima facie case against Ramaphosa, and now his opponents have smelt blood and they are going to fight.”
In a tweet, ANC veteran Carl Niehaus cited the ANC’s step-aside rule, stating that Ramaphosa should now step aside. “In terms of his own rule, stipulating that those who have been charged with a crime must step aside, Ramaphosa must now step aside,” he said. “There can be no selective justice! What is true for the goose must be true for the gander.”
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