ahlam1399
04-30-2016, 04:40 AM
PRETORIA: South Africa’s High Court ruled on Friday that a decision seven years ago to drop 783 corruption charges against President Jacob Zuma was irrational and should be reviewed, a**ther setback for the scandal-ridden leader who faces calls for his resignation.
The decision in April 2009 to set aside the charges allowed Zuma to run for president in elections the same month.
The South African leader has been beset by scandal during his tenure.
This year’s local elections pose a major risk for Zuma’s ruling African National Congress, facing a strong challenge from opponents seeking to capitalise on what they see as the president’s missteps.
National prosecutor Mokotedi Mpshe’s decision at the time was based on phone intercepts presented by Zuma’s legal team that suggested the timing of the charges in late 2007 may have been part of a political plot against him.
However, Judge Aubrey Ledwaba said Mpshe’s thinking and behaviour was irrational, especially his failure to disclose his decision to prosecutors until the moment he an**unced it to the nation at a news conference.
“If the decision had been rational and above board, why the secrecy?“ Ledwaba said.
The ruling adds pressure on Zuma, who has faced calls to quit even from within the ANC since a damning constitutional court judgment against him last month.
The three-judge bench ruling does **t automatically reinstate the charges against Zuma, a decision that can only come from the prosecuting authorities. It was unclear when such a decision would be taken.
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The decision in April 2009 to set aside the charges allowed Zuma to run for president in elections the same month.
The South African leader has been beset by scandal during his tenure.
This year’s local elections pose a major risk for Zuma’s ruling African National Congress, facing a strong challenge from opponents seeking to capitalise on what they see as the president’s missteps.
National prosecutor Mokotedi Mpshe’s decision at the time was based on phone intercepts presented by Zuma’s legal team that suggested the timing of the charges in late 2007 may have been part of a political plot against him.
However, Judge Aubrey Ledwaba said Mpshe’s thinking and behaviour was irrational, especially his failure to disclose his decision to prosecutors until the moment he an**unced it to the nation at a news conference.
“If the decision had been rational and above board, why the secrecy?“ Ledwaba said.
The ruling adds pressure on Zuma, who has faced calls to quit even from within the ANC since a damning constitutional court judgment against him last month.
The three-judge bench ruling does **t automatically reinstate the charges against Zuma, a decision that can only come from the prosecuting authorities. It was unclear when such a decision would be taken.
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/World-TheNewsInternational/~4/81-CRk1GKPc
أكثر... (http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/World-TheNewsInternational/~3/81-CRk1GKPc/116439-S-African-court-orders-review-of-decision-to-drop-Zuma-charges)