South African prosecutors are likely to wait at least two weeks before deciding whether to file charges against the new African National Congress president and the country’s police chief, a newspaper said on Thursday.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) recently said it had enough evidence to re-charge ANC president Jacob Zuma, now the frontrunner to become the country’s president in 2009, with corruption in connection with an arms deal.
The case against Zuma collapsed last year due to procedural matters.
The NPA also is believed to be investigating allegations of criminal conduct by police National Commissioner Jackie Selebi, who has been accused of ties to organised crime.
Zuma, who was elected to lead the ANC at its conference in Polokwane last week, and Selebi, who is also president of international crime-fighting agency Interpol, have denied any wrongdoing.
Decisions in the cases are not expected until Mokotedi Mpshe, the acting head of the NPA, returns from holiday on January 7, Business Day newspaper reported in a front-page article.
A prosecution of Zuma, who was acquitted of separate rape charges last year, could split the ANC and derail his hopes of succeeding President Thabo Mbeki, who must step down in 2009.
Mbeki, praised by business for pursuing centrist investor-friendly policies, has vowed to continue leading the government despite being defeated in his bid to win a third term as ANC leader at a December 16 to 20 leadership congress.
Zuma won about 60% of the votes cast by delegates.
Embattled police chief
The Selebi investigation, for its part, has the potential to damage South Africa’s reputation at a time when it is trying to persuade sceptics that it can reduce high levels of violent crime ahead of the 2010 Soccer World Cup, which it will host.
The embattled police chief has been accused of downplaying the severity of the country’s crime problem and has raised eyebrows by admitting his friendship with Glenn Agliotti, a convicted drug smuggler.
Mbeki has stood by Selebi despite calls by the opposition and media for his dismissal, prompting speculation he was being protected for political reasons. Selebi was an ANC activist in exile during the struggle to overthrow white minority rule. – Reuters