President Cyril Ramaphosa Challenges Jacob Zuma
President Cyril Ramaphosa is fighting back against his predecessor, Jacob Zuma, over a private prosecution. Ramaphosa is seeking a court order declaring the private prosecution unconstitutional and unlawful. This comes after Zuma served him with summons on the eve of the African National Congress (ANC) conference in December 2022.
Ramaphosa called the move a desperate political stunt by Zuma, designed to undermine his second term as ANC leader. In January, the high court granted an interdict halting the private prosecution pending the hearing of the second part of Ramaphosa’s application. He argues that Zuma’s attempt to prosecute him as an accessory after the fact to an alleged violation of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Act is fatally flawed.
Ramaphosa states that the purported criminal prosecution is for an ulterior motive. This is because there is no valid criminal offense for Zuma to prosecute with reasonable prospects of success. In the alternative, Zuma alleges that Ramaphosa obstructed the ends of justice. He is also pursuing a private prosecution against state prosecutor Billy Downer and journalist Karyn Maughan. Zuma charges that they breached section 41 of the Act on August 9, 2021, when a doctor’s letter submitted in support of an application for a postponement in his arms deal corruption trial was released to the media and published.
Zuma’s letter stated that he required treatment for a serious ailment. He wrote to Ramaphosa and requested an urgent inquiry be instituted into Downer’s alleged misconduct in “colluding” with Maughan to ensure his medical information was published. Ramaphosa referred the complaint to Justice Minister Ronald Lamola and advised him to refer the matter to the Legal Practice Council.
The private prosecution has caused an uproar in South Africa, with many people questioning its legitimacy. Some view it as a political move aimed at discrediting Ramaphosa and his government. The case is an important one, as it highlights the ongoing power struggle within the ANC and the country’s political landscape.
Ramaphosa’s legal challenge to the private prosecution is an attempt to preserve the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary. By challenging the constitutionality of the private prosecution, he is sending a clear message that no one is above the law, and that the courts must be respected.
The battle between Ramaphosa and Zuma is likely to be a protracted one, with both sides digging in for a long fight. However, Ramaphosa’s challenge to the private prosecution is a significant step towards ensuring that South Africa’s democracy remains intact. It is also a reminder that no one, not even former presidents, is above the law.
The private prosecution of President Cyril Ramaphosa by Jacob Zuma is a divisive issue that has rocked South Africa’s political landscape. Ramaphosa’s challenge to the private prosecution is an attempt to preserve the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary. The case highlights the ongoing power struggle within the ANC and the country’s political landscape. By challenging the constitutionality of the private prosecution, Ramaphosa is sending a clear message that no one is above the law. It remains to be seen how the case will unfold, but one thing is certain – this is a battle that will have far-reaching consequences for South Africa’s democracy.
Mboma Mboma