Parties argue that any attempt to drop ANC president’s case will suggest political interference

While the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) remain tight-lipped about whether it would drop charges against African National Congress (ANC) president Jacob Zuma, opposition parties yesterday argued that any attempt to drop the case would suggest political interference.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) said that there was “no good reason” for the NPA not to proceed with its prosecution.

“It is possible that Zuma is pressurising the NPA to drop the charges against him in return for a guarantee that there will be no purge of NPA officials should he become state president. This, of course, would amount to political blackmail,” said DA leader Helen Zille.

She wrote to acting NPA head Mokotedi Mpshe, urging him to deny that he was letting Zuma off the hook.

“If the NPA agrees to withdraw the charges by means of a special, backroom deal with Zuma’s legal team, this would create the impression that the NPA had capitulated to pressure from the ruling party.

“The fact this deal was brokered on the eve of a general election would strengthen that perception.”

The Independent Democrats (ID) warned that dropping the charges would signal “a sign of things to come from the crowd that voted Zuma in at Polokwane”.

ID leader Patricia de Lille said it would send a message that “some are more equal than others”.

Both Zille and De Lille said they would pursue the possibility of a private prosecution if the charges were dropped.

The Congress of the People said, “We believe the former national director of public prosecutions, Vusi Pikoli, was fired to ensure that this Machiavellian plot was effected by the ANC .”

The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) called for Zuma to prove his innocence. “My fear is that there might be perception at home and overseas that political exigencies have overtaken the rule-of-law ­ a political solution to a legal question,” said IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi.

The Freedom Front Plus said dropping the charges would make “a mockery of the principle that everyone is equal before the law”.

But the Young Communist League (YCL) said such a move would “restore” the NPA’s “tainted image and credibility”.

“We call on opposition parties to desist from interfering using an evil hand on this matter for cheap points scoring electioneering purposes, but should allow the process to unfold as part of finding a lasting solution to matters related to Zuma .”

Zuma faces 16 charges ­ one of racketeering, one of money laundering, two of corruption and 12 of fraud. His former financial adviser and convicted fraudster Schabir Shaik’s brother Moe helped to spark reports that the charges would be dropped imminently.

Shaik told students and ANC members at the University of Pretoria on Tuesday: “Many of you will be moved by what I’m about to say, but in the national newspapers that’s going to break tomorrow (Wednesday) morning is going to be the following headlines.

“The NPA has decided not to prosecute Jacob Zuma, ” he said. With Sapa

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