Deputy President Jacob Zuma is a senior political leader and senior member of the government. It was naive of the National Director of Public Prosecutions, Bulelani Ngcuka, to allow the investigation of him to go public. It merely created a media sensation.

Zuma has been convicted by the media. He was tried in a forum where he could not be given a proper hearing, and Ngcuka must accept responsibility, as must his political boss, Penuell Maduna, the Minister of Justice.

Ngcuka has announced that no criminal charges will be brought against Zuma. He has found that there is a prima facie case against Zuma, but that the case cannot be won in court. That is a strange decision. How can there be a prima facie case that is not "winnable" in court?

Zuma has repeatedly stated that he is innocent and will successfully defend himself in court. Now he has been deprived of the opportunity to defend himself in court but burdened for life with the finding of a prima facie case against him.

Ngcuka's behaviour is questionable to say the least. He should have considered the implications of launching an investigation in the public glare against somebody of Zuma's stature.

If his investigation establishes a prima facie case, he must prosecute Zuma. If the case cannot be won, then there is no prima facie case against Zuma.

Ngcuka is making a fool of himself and of Maduna. Perhaps the Scorpions must be brought under the wing of the SAPS, where they belonged in the first place.

MUJI, Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal

With acknowledgement to Muji and the Sunday Times.