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Will Zuma Be Charged? |
| Publication |
Cape Times |
| Date | 2007-12-03 |
| Reporter |
Angela Quintal, Karyn Maughan, Christelle Terreblanche |
|
Web Link |
ANC Deputy President Jacob Zuma is set to contest his party's elections in
Polokwane as a "free man" as the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)
may decide only next year whether to prosecute him.
The NPA's acting director, Mokotedi Mpshe, says a decision
may take up to, but no longer than, two months because
more evidence is needed *1 to assess the case
against Zuma, front runner in the race to lead the ANC.
A decision on national Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi would "be quicker",
Mpshe said.
On Thursday, the prosecuting team gave him a comprehensive briefing on the Zuma
investigation. Mpshe also received a report from the panel appointed to review
the Scorpions' case against Selebi, which involves charges of corruption,
racketeering and defeating the ends of justice.
A security source said last week that the Selebi review panel was unlikely to
contradict the work of the Scorpions.
"The decision on Selebi would be easier because ... you recall a decision was
long done. So that is the easier one," the SABC quoted Mpshe as saying at an
awards ceremony for prosecutors on Saturday.
He said the NPA had been under pressure for much of the year, particularly
because of the two high-profile cases. The cases had to be finalised as soon as
possible, to avoid uncertainties and finger-pointing.
An NPA spokesperson last week said it was Mpshe's decision whether to prosecute.
President Thabo Mbeki did not need to be consulted.
The cases were reviewed followed the suspension in September of the NPA
director, Vusi Pikoli, days after the Scorpions secured arrest and search
warrants against Selebi.
Pikoli's fitness to hold office is now the subject of an inquiry, and the arrest
warrant has been withdrawn.
Asked if the NPA had reported back to him, Mbeki said: "No, they haven't. I
mean, they wouldn't." Nor was he aware of the review panel's progress, Mbeki
said.
It was Justice Minister Brigitte Mabandla who would report to him on "other
cases" after being briefed by the NPA.
Mabandla is in New York and due back on Wednesday.
The NPA's successful appeal against a High Court finding that warrants used to
search Zuma and his lawyer's properties were invalid has paved the way for the
state to add charges of tax evasion and money-laundering to those of fraud and
corruption brought against Zuma in a case struck from the High Court roll last
year.
In a three-two split, the Supreme Court of Appeal found last week that the
warrants used in the Scorpions' raids in August 2005 on the homes and offices of
Zuma and his attorney, Michael Hulley, were valid. This allowed the state to use
the findings of a KMPG audit of the 93 000 documents seized in the raids in
drafting charges against Zuma.
It is understood the audit found that up until August 2005, Zuma received
R3,5-million from his former financial adviser, convicted fraudster Schabir
Shaik, and that this is the basis of fresh charges Zuma would face.
Hulley has filed a Constitutional Court challenge to the
Supreme Court of Appeal judgment *2. The state is expected to respond in
three weeks.
Based on the arrest warrant that was withdrawn, Selebi could face charges of
corruption, racketeering and defeating the ends of justice.
Some of the allegations relate to his friendship with Glenn Agliotti, charged in
connection with the murder of mining figure Brett Kebble.
Kebble's former security boss, Clint Nassif, has claimed in an unsigned
statement that Kebble was prepared to pay Selebi up to R13-million for the
police chief's protection against the Scorpions.
In the statement, Nassif claims he learnt of Kebble and his business partner
John Stratton's agreement with Selebi through Agliotti.
Selebi has said on radio he would like to have his day in court, but only "if
there are allegations that can be proved ... I am certain that I, Jackie Selebi,
have never been involved in that kind of wrongdoing."
* This article was originally published on page 1 of The Cape Times on
December 03, 2007
With acknowledgements to Angela Quintal, Karyn Maughan, Christelle Terreblanche and Cape Times.