NPA gives Zuma until end of January next year to file fresh representations
The president's legal team apparently wanted until 19 February to make the representations to the NPA.
AFP/File / Jekesai Njikizana
South Africa president Jacob Zuma spent around $24 million on upgrades at his private residence
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) head Shaun Abrahams has reportedly given President Jacob Zuma until the end of January next year to file his representations on why he should not be prosecuted on 783 counts of corruption, fraud, money-laundering and racketeering over the controversial arms deal saga.
Zuma was scheduled to file his representations by November 30 after the Supreme Court of Appeal ruled that the decision by Abrahams’ predecessor Mokotedi Mpshe to drop the charges against Zuma in April 2009 was unlawful.
According to eNCA legal journalist Karyn Maughan, Zuma’s lawyers asked for the postponement for the filing of fresh reasons on why he should not be prosecuted because of “prior litigation commitments” and because of the “complexity” that needed to be addressed in his representations.
#NDPP #ShaunAbrahams says he wants to bring #Zuma prosecution matter to finality as soon as possible. pic.twitter.com/2L7UyBnlCh
— Karyn Maughan (@karynmaughan) December 11, 2017
This is letter sent by NDPP #ShaunAbrahams explaining why he has decided to grant President Zuma's request for postponement in making his representation: pic.twitter.com/sBXrcgzSW0
— Karyn Maughan (@karynmaughan) December 11, 2017
#ShaunAbrahams is expected to be advised on #Zuma prosecution by an NPA team – incl Zuma prosecutor Billy Downer – by the end of the January. Abrahams has used this as a basis to explain why he has agreed to President Zuma's postponement request.
NPA has declined to comment— Karyn Maughan (@karynmaughan) December 11, 2017
BREAKING: NDPP #ShaunAbrahams has told Zuma's lawyers that postponement he has granted for President to file his argument for why he should not be charged is the last extension he will be granted.
— Karyn Maughan (@karynmaughan) December 11, 2017
BREAKING: President Zuma's lawyers asked for postponement in him filing representations because of "prior litigation commitments" and due to the "complexity" that needed to be addressed in his representations. They wanted until 19 February to make representations.
— Karyn Maughan (@karynmaughan) December 11, 2017
BREAKING: NDPP #ShaunAbrahams has given President Jacob Zuma until 31 January 2018 to file his representations on why he should not be prosecuted for corruption.
Zuma was scheduled to file by 30 November.— Karyn Maughan (@karynmaughan) December 11, 2017
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