Court delivers massive blow to President Zuma

08 Décembre 2017

Cape Town, South Africa, December 8 (Infosplusgabon) -  In a dramatic development just days before the ruling African National Congress’ (ANC) elective conference, the High Court on Friday delivered a massive to blow to President Jacob Zuma.

It ruled that Shaun Abrahams, the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), who is widely accused of shielding President Zuma on numerous graft charges, must immediately vacate his position because that appointment was unlawful.

And Judge President Dunstan Mlambo ruled that President Zuma is powerless to appoint a replacement because it impacts on the major corruption case against him. Instead, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has two months to appoint the new director.

"In our view President Zuma would be clearly conflicted in appointing a NDPP considering the background of this case and the spectre of allegations against him," Mlambo said.

Ironically Ramaphosa is facing President Zuma’s former wife Nkosazana Dlamani-Zuma for the presidency of the ruling party and the country.

In another significant development, the office of the Presidency on Friday responded to Ramaphosa's comments that while he accepts President Zuma was acquitted of rape in a 2006 trial, he would still believe the complainant’s allegation. Ramaphosa made the comments in a radio interview on Thursday.

"The Presidency has noted the media reports attributed to the deputy president of the Republic who is quoted as having stated that he believed the version presented by (the complainant) in the criminal proceedings between State v JG Zuma when he was interviewed on one of the radio stations," the Presidency said in a statement.

"The rape allegations against President Zuma were properly considered by a judge of the High Court. Having evaluated the totality of the evidence, the court acquitted the president of the rape charges," the Presidency said.

FIN/INFOSPLUSGABON/OLK/GABON 2017

© Copyright Infosplusgabon