Zuma says the state lacks legitimate standing to charge him
The former president argues that the National Prosecuting Authority is so deeply compromised that it cannot lawfully lead evidence against him
Billy Downer
Zuma’s last legal stand is still politics
Impugned prosecutor Billy Downer argues that even if the court agreed he was biased and removed him, this would still not spell an acquittal for Jacob Zuma
This content is restricted to subscribers only.
Join the M&G Community
Our commitment at the Mail & Guardian is to ensure every reader enjoys the finest experience. Join the M&G community and support us in delivering in-depth news to you consistently.
Subscription enables:
- – M&G community membership
- – independent journalism
- – access to all premium articles & features
- – a digital version of the weekly newspaper
- – invites to subscriber-only events
- – the opportunity to test new online features first
Already a subscriber?
Login here.
NPA accuses Zuma of another stab at stay of prosecution in a different guise
Veteran prosecutor Billy Downer argues the former president is not entitled to recycle arguments dismissed by the high court as he seeks acquittal on arms-deal charges
Delays loom in Zuma arms deal corruption trial
A political trial within a trial is indicated after Zuma’s counsel’s raise the spectre of oral evidence in its move for the prosecutor’s removal and for charges to be dropped
Zuma pleads not guilty, Mpofu puts the NPA on trial
The new counsel for the former president read part of his plea for the prosecutor’s removal and ultimately his acquittal out in court
Zuma digs up the political past in bid for arms deal acquittal
The former president argues that if he succeeds in having Billy Downer removed as prosecutor, the charges should be dropped
NPA says Zuma is trying for another delay in arms deal trial
The former president’s application to remove Billy Downer as prosecutor comes as he runs out of road in more than one legal battle
Zuma trial postponed to 26 May as defence objects to state prosecutor Downer
Judge Piet Koen orders a brief delay to give Zuma’s lawyer time to enter a plea that Downer has no authority to prosecute the matter
Zuma’s intended trial date likely to see application for Downer’s recusal
The long-running arms deal case is heading for further delays after Zuma’s attorney and senior counsel withdrew at the 11th hour
Zuma’s legal team withdraws in wake of appeal court’s ruling on fees
Eric Mabuza notified the high court and NPA of his decision just weeks before the former president goes on trial for corruption
Zuma not at court to hear his arms-deal trial start date
The former president’s lawyers asked last week that he be excused from appearing in person, although no such arrangements were made for his snubbing of the Zondo commission
New delay in Zuma case as Thales challenges racketeering charges
The former president’s bid for an October trial date seems set to fail
Zuma turns on judiciary as trial nears
Former president says pre-trial correspondence is part of another plot
Arrest warrant issued for no-show Zuma
The high court wants more details about the nature of the illness preventing the former president from appearing on corruption charges
Zuma stay of prosecution application must be dismissed, NPA argues
The prosecuting authority believes there is a strong case against the former president
![[From our archives] Spy tapes revelations could rock the Zuma establishment](https://mg.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/b27e91d9-spy-tapes-revelations-could-rock-the-zuma-establishment.jpeg)
[From our archives] Spy tapes revelations could rock the Zuma establishment
Evidence released to the DA raises significant questions regarding the dropping of graft charges against President Jacob Zuma.
‘The NPA is very upset about it’
Jacob Zuma’s prosecutor, Billy Downer, is not a happy man. But he won’t be quitting any time soon, he tells Adriaan Basson.
No image available
The man who won’t go down
William John Downer was brought up in suburban Pretoria. He excelled at public speaking, a skill that would stand him in good stead later in his life.
No image available
Champagne on ice for JZ
Prosecutors staged a surprise comeback this week in their battle with the National Prosecuting Authority’s chiefs over charges against Jacob Zuma.
No image available
Magistrate seeks recusal of Zuma prosecutor
A Pietermaritzburg magistrate has launched a legal bid to block state prosecutor Billy Downer from taking part in the case against Jacob Zuma.
No image available
Zuma thrills fans as court bid continues
African National Congress leader Jacob Zuma’s court bid continues on Tuesday in the Pietermaritzburg High Court.
No image available
Disbanding Scorpions ‘will protect politicians’
The disbanding of the Scorpions will protect corrupt and criminal politicians from prosecution, the deputy director of Public Prosecutions warned on Thursday. The Directorate of Special Operations, also known as the Scorpions, would lose its ability to independently investigate government officials if it was incorporated into the police, said Billy Downer, SC.
No image available
Zuma to fight charges
African National Congress president Jacob Zuma will not stand trial on August 4, instead he will be seeking to have the decision to charge him declared unlawful. The legal teams of Zuma and his co-accused met the National Prosecuting Authority and the KwaZulu-Natal Judge President Vuka Tshabalala on Thursday to finalise a court date.
No image available
Zuma in court: ‘What should be in warrant?’
There is no statute determining exactly what provisions should be in a search warrant, the Constitutional Court heard on Tuesday as African National Congress president Jacob Zuma and French arms company Thint began a last-ditch bid to prevent key documents from being used against them.
No image available
Zuma’s legal battle continues
African National Congress president Jacob Zuma arrived at the Constitutional Court on Tuesday amid a heavy security presence and the sound of camera shutters as photographers attempted to shoot pictures. A heavy police presence was visible around the court buildings while journalists packed the press gallery trying to get a view of Zuma.
No image available
NPA ‘pleased’ with Zuma appeals
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) on Thursday expressed its satisfaction after it won all its appeals in the Supreme Court of Appeal in its legal battle with African National Congress deputy president Jacob Zuma. ”It brings certainty and finality at least up to this point on the contested issues,” said NPA spokesperson Tlali Tlali.
No image available
Shaik’s court appeal reaches ‘end of a long road’
Schabir Shaik, former financial adviser to Jacob Zuma, on Tuesday lost his final appeal against fraud and corruption charges and a 15-year prison sentence. Shaik’s appeal to bring new evidence was dismissed and the court ruled that his trial was not unfair.
No image available
Court says Zuma may not intervene in state’s probe
African National Congress (ANC) deputy president Jacob Zuma may not intervene in the state’s plan to extend an investigation into him to the United Kingdom. Judge Willie van der Merwe ruled against an application brought by Zuma to intervene in the state’s request to obtain information from banks and lawyers.
No image available
Judgement reserved in Thint appeal
The Supreme Court of Appeal on Wednesday reserved judgement in the dispute between Thint and the national director of public prosecutions over the seizure of documents from the French arms company. State counsel Wim Trengove argued before the Bloemfontein court for the necessity of the search warrants.
No image available
Thint contests validity of warrants in appeal court
A director of French arms company Thint always cooperated with investigators probing alleged corruption and fraud in South Africa’s multibillion-rand arms deal, the Supreme Court of Appeal heard on Wednesday. ”Mr [Pierre] Moynot has at all times offered the investigating team his kind and affable cooperation,” said Thint lawyer Peter Hodes.