The decision not to prosecute Deputy President Jacob Zuma was not the first or last of its kind, Justice Minister Penuell Maduna said on Tuesday.
Speaking after opening a new centre for rape victims in Kimberley, Maduna said the Directorate of Public Prosecutions regularly decided not to prosecute alleged offenders, despite prima facie evidence against them.
”You don’t prosecute people just for the sake of prosecution,” the minister told journalists. Once a prima facie case has been established, you consider the prospects of success and other things before deciding to prosecute.
”A prima facie case does not necessarily constitute proof beyond reasonable doubt in a court of law.”
When asked, Maduna said he did not know whether the African National Congress would subject Zuma to an internal disciplinary hearing.
National Director of Public Prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka announced over the weekend the decision not to prosecute the deputy president on corruption charges.
Several corruption allegations against Zuma feature on the charge sheet in the State’s current case against Schabir Shaik, his financial adviser.
These include alleged bribery associated with the South African government’s controversial arms deal. — Sapa