The report found that Zuma placed himself in a “conflict of interest situation,” given his relationship with Bosasa. Image: Twitter / Jacob Zuma
NPA: Zuma’s charges against Downer still being considered
Former president Jacob Zuma accused advocate Billy Downer, the prosecutor in his arms deal case, of acting unethically in his work
The report found that Zuma placed himself in a “conflict of interest situation,” given his relationship with Bosasa. Image: Twitter / Jacob Zuma
While the arms deal trial against former president Jacob Zuma is set to go ahead, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says another related matter on its desk is yet to be finalised – the charges filed against advocate Billy Downer.
Zuma laid criminal charges against Downer in October 2021, accusing him of leaking his medical records. He has accused him of breaching sections of the National Prosecuting Authority Act (NPA).
It comes after the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) dismissed Zuma’s latest bid to have Downer removed from the matter, saying his application has no prospects of success.
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WILL THE NPA CHARGE DOWNER?
As to whether Billy Downer will be prosecuted, the NPA’s Mthunzi Mhaga said Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the KwaZulu-Natal was still objectively Jacob Zuma’s case.
“Once a decision is taken, it will be communicated, but at the moment no decision has been taken by that office,” Mhaga told the Newzroom Afrika.
Zuma’s legal team has long wanted Downer removed from the case, arguing prosecutorial misconduct. They claim there have been at least a dozen instances where Downer has acted unethically as a prosecutor. The former president hasn’t exactly had a peaceful life post his presidency, with endless court battles and a commission centred on his alleged acts of wrongdoing when he was in office.
Asked whether the NPA anticipates Zuma approaching the Constitutional Court in the matter, Mhaga told the broadcaster: “We can expect anything from the former president because of the delaying tactics that they have applied in this matter, throughout. It has been quite a protracted process, but we will be read to oppose such an application”
Zuma faces 16 charges of fraud, corruption, racketeering, and money-laundering related to the controversial multi-billion rand arms deal in the late 1990s. The former president is alleged to have received 783 suspicious payments to the tune of R1.2 million from Thales, through his disgraced former financial advisor Shabir Shaik. Zuma has denied the allegations and claims they are politically motivated.
YOU CAN ALSO READ: Arms deal latest: Zuma takes bid to remove Downer to SCA
