Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille has vowed to persist in her calls for ANC leader Jacob Zuma to be prosecuted on the criminal charges he faces. "No, Mr Zuma, I will not back off," she said in a campaign speech, prepared for delivery in Paarl in the Western Cape on Monday evening. Zille was responding to earlier remarks by Zuma, who told an ANC rally at the weekend that "instead of them being busy canvassing, they [opposition parties] are busy going to court to challenge decisions that don't exist".

A final decision is expected from the National Prosecuting Authority on Monday as to whether it plans to drop the charges Zuma faces, or go ahead and prosecute the ruling party's presidential candidate. The DA has said that if the NPA drops the charges, it will consider launching a private prosecution against him. Zille on Monday said if Zuma did not appear in court, he could not be presumed innocent. "I find it curious that some people say that I have no business worrying about Jacob Zuma's corruption trial.

They say that I must respect the principle that people are presumed innocent until proven guilty. "Of course I respect that principle. But if we allow Zuma to escape his day in court as a result of a back-room deal with the National Prosecuting Authority, we will be no closer to knowing whether he is guilty or innocent. "There will be a cloud hanging over his head and the entire government.

Escaping prosecution is not the same thing as acquittal. If he never appears in court he cannot be presumed innocent." Zille said Zuma had dragged out the case against him at every opportunity, and was now reportedly blackmailing the NPA to make sure he did not go to court. "Yesterday, Jacob Zuma told me to 'back off'.

Well, I have news for him: I will never do that. I will continue to hold him and the ANC to account. "That is my responsibility as the leader of the official opposition and it is my duty as a citizen. The fact of the matter is that Jacob Zuma has a case to answer in court," she said. A copy of Zille's speech was sent to Sapa.

With acknowledgements to Sapa.