Publication: Cape Argus Issued: Date: 2005-12-10 Reporter: Boyd Webb Reporter:

Protector to Decide Next Week Whether to Probe Zuma Plot Claim

 

Publication 

Cape Argus

Date

2005-12-10

Reporter

 Boyd Webb

Web Link

www.capeargus.co.za

 

Public protector Lawrence Mushwana will decide on Monday if his office will investigate allegations by former deputy president Jacob Zuma that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) was plotting his downfall.

Zuma has accused the NPA's National Directorate of Special Operations (Scorpions) of leaking an affidavit to the media claiming that Zuma and his former financial adviser once shared a prostitute called Robin at R30 000 a month at Nkobi Holdings' expense.

The affidavit, which first appeared in the Africa Confidential publication months ago, as well as a weekly newspaper, resurfaced in Rapport and City Press last weekend and was followed up by some daily newspapers this week.

It comes at a time when Zuma is under the spotlight for alleged rape, a charge he has denied and which he will defend in the High Court next year.

On Thursday, Zuma accused the Scorpions of "continuing to use the media to bring me down, and the media continues to slander me by printing unchecked facts that were manufactured".

The NPA vehemently denied any hidden agenda to attack Zuma and called on the public protector to investigate the accusations.

Spokesperson for the protector's office, Selby Bokaba, confirmed yesterday they had received the request for an investigation from NPA head advocate Vusi Pikoli and that it would be considered over the weekend.

"The public protector will study the request and make his decision known on Monday," he said.

NPA spokesman Makhosini Nkosi said Pikoli had not only written to Mushwana but also phoned him personally on the topic.

"We are of the view that Mr Zuma's allegations are unfounded. Nonetheless, we have opted for an independent investigation by the public protector on this matter," he said.

He said in the event Mushwana did find a guilty party within the organisation, the NPA would take such action as would be necessary in terms of the NPA Act.

With acknowledgements to Boyd Webb and Cape Argus.