Lawyers for ANC President Jacob Zuma can still approach the National Prosecuting
Authority to make representations on his case, even though they missed the
January 26 time-line to do so, the NPA said.
NPA spokesperson Tlali Tlali said they had indicated that they would make the
representations on the ANC president's case on Monday, but this passed without
the representations taking place.
However, Tlali explained, such submissions are not bound by the rules of court
procedure and there are no strict deadlines that have to be met, so Zuma's legal
team is still able to approach the authority.
Zuma's lawyer Michael Hulley was not immediately available to elaborate.
However, after the NPA won its appeal on January 12 to a judgment that set aside
its prosecution of Zuma, Zuma's lawyers indicated that they wanted to make
representations about his case.
The right to do so had formed part of his latest court challenge.
Meanwhile, Tlali said the parties would meet again in the Pietermaritzburg High
Court on February 4.
This is for the NPA to put the matter back on the court roll, however, Zuma's
legal team may also apply for a permanent stay of prosecution.
"There is likely to be an adjournment on that day," said Tlali.
Last year, the NPA tried to prosecute Zuma and international arms company Thint
for corruption relating to alleged bribery in an arms deal.
Zuma's legal team also has until at least Monday, February 2 to file papers in
an application to the Constitutional Court for leave to appeal the Supreme Court
of Appeal judgment.
The Constitutional Court's roll is filling up, with several hearings already set
down for February and March.
The Independent Electoral Commission has indicated that it would be ready to
hold the 2009 national and provincial elections from April 15, a poll that is
expected to result in Zuma becoming president of the country.