Press Release

30th May 2007

For Immediate Release

We note, with deep concern, the incorrect and misleading report in the Star Newspaper this morning about the NPA ‘confirming their intention to re-charge the Deputy President of the ANC, Mr Jacob Zuma’

“We find this report completely misleading and irresponsible. We were at pains to stress, both in our court papers and in oral argument that the State has not yet taken a decision to charge Mr. Zuma and Thint again” says the NPA.

The fact that we may be ‘marshalling evidence’ as part of our investigations cannot be construed as a confirmation that a decision to prosecute has already been taken and especially not when we have explicitly stated the contrary

We view this report in a very serious light and DEMAND*1 the newspaper to retract this report without further delay.


Issued by
Panyaza Lesufi
NPA – Spokesperson
084 302 0159

 
*1       So far, The Star does not seem to be taking Mr Lesufi DEMAND seriously.

Maybe , if Mr Lesufi couched his desires as a request, he might be taken more seriously.

And so what's he going to do now, report The Star to The Press Ombudsman?


*2      Unfortunately, whatever pains were taken the NPA stresses about, the journalists tried to distill everything that they heard and read and came to the conclusion that they reported, which is a reasonable one.

It is simply unreasonable to conclude that all the legal efforts being undertaken in the circumstances of being in possession of "damning evidence", in copied or original form, can lead to nothing.

Then it will truly be a situation where, as the one defendant, Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma, says :

"This investigation reminds me of Shakespeare's Macbeth when he said after a long soliloquy: '... It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing."

See :

Zuma Breaks His Silence

Mail and Guardian

2003-08-15

Sapa

www.mg.co.za , http://www.armsdeal-vpo.co.za/articles04/zuma_breaks.html