As the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) prepares to drop corruption charges against African National Congress (ANC) president Jacob Zuma, political parties have called for full disclosure.

Today the NPA meets to tie up loose ends before announcing the decision. The state’s eight-year investigation of Zuma has dominated the political landscape and any decision will have a profound effect on the upcoming general election and its outcome.

Yesterday the Democratic Alliance (DA) called on the NPA to tell all. “If they do make the decision public, they must make a full disclosure. They have to give reasons for their decision,” DA spokesman Frits de Klerk said.

Opposition parties have urged the NPA to take the matter to court, saying anything less will amount to a back room deal.

However, the ANC called the call “rank opportunism”. “While the DA claims it respects due legal process, it will only do so if the outcome of that process serves its own political purposes,” ANC spokeswoman Jessie Duarte said.

It is expected that NPA head Mokotedi Mpshe will announce the decision after Zuma’s legal team has been informed.

NPA spokesman Tladi Tladi remained tightlipped about the decision, but said yesterday the body would not shirk its responsibility.

“We are not oblivious to the fact that this matter has attracted huge public and media interest, domestically and internationally. A properly reasoned decision will be communicated. It is unlikely that we will not give reasons. ”

All eyes will be on the prosecution body as it explains the decision, amid leaked reports that Zuma’s political enemies have been fingered in damning telephone conversations.

Last week it was reported that Zuma’s lawyers had provided the NPA with evidence of political conspiracy involving former president Thabo Mbeki, former NPA head Bulelani Ngcuka and former Scorpions boss Leonard McCarthy.

Mbeki and Ngcuka last week denied any wrongdoing, with the former president saying that anyone with information against him should go to the police.

In a stunning reversal Mbeki and Ngcuka could well face investigation, if the NPA publicly acknowledges political meddling. The NPA has the unenviable task of explaining why, after almost a decade, it no longer wants to continue with its case. Zuma’s lawyers have refused to divulge what information was given to the NPA, saying the representations were confidential.

The NPA’s apparent turnaround is the result of months of talks between it and Zuma’s legal team.

It is understood that a combination of reasons will be forwarded . These include that Zuma’s relationship with his former financial adviser, Schabir Shaik, was not actually corrupt; that it will not be in the national interest to prosecute him when he is president of the country; and that there was a political conspiracy against him.

With acknowledgements to Karima Brown, Hajra Omarjee and Business Day.