Vice President Jacob Zuma complains ("Zuma probe to 'further secret agendas'" November 7) about the conduct of the national directorate of public prosecutions (NDPP).

The NDPP has stated that there is a prima facie case against him, but, Zuma states, in declining to prosecute has "effectively denied me the opportunity to defend myself".

He goes on to say the decision also closed any possibility or avenue for him to answer these allegations.

May I suggest that there is precisely such an avenue, namely an action for damages for defamation against the NDPP and its director Bulelani Ngcuka.

That would shift the onus to Mr Ngcuka to show on a balance of probabilities that he is covered by the defence of truth and public interest.

The vice president is quite able to have his day in court and clear his name and I find it inconceivable that his advisers have not told him so.

With acknowledgements to Steve Harding and the Cape Times.