There was no official word by early Friday morning on how the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) would proceed with its case against ANC president Jacob Zuma. "I will issue a statement during the course of the day," said NPA spokesman Tlali Tlali, evoking his earlier calls for patience on the landmark decision. Zuma's lawyer Michael Hulley was not immediately available to comment but had said previously that the NPA would have to release details and comment on the representations.

The NPA earlier this week said it was considering a "basket of information" it received from the African National Congress leader's lawyers which could lead to a decision to drop fraud and corruption charges against Zuma. As the ANC goes into its final stretch of campaigning for the April 22 election, a decision to drop the case would mean he no longer has 16 criminal charges looming relating to a multi-billion rand arms deal. Arms company Thint is the co-accused in the case. In the last fortnight, news reports have suggested the charges will be dropped, with one publication proclaiming on Sunday "Zuma is off the hook".

Meanwhile, Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille cleared her diary ahead of the NPA's communication. "In light of the National Prosecuting Authority's expected announcement on the prosecution of Jacob Zuma today, DA Leader Helen Zille's election campaign in the Northern Cape today has been cancelled," a party statement said.

In terms of the Constitution, the NPA can review a decision to prosecute after taking representations from the accused, the complainant and any other interested parties. Zille had submitted reasons why the party believes the case should continue in court. The authority has not been commenting on largely unsourced media reports on the representations, which reportedly include recordings of tapped telephone calls.

Various publications predicted that Friday's announcement would let Zuma off the hook, with claims that Justice Minister Enver Surty would be informed during the morning. His spokesman Zolile Nqayi said he could not confirm this as it was not on the minister's diary. An official at the High Court in Pietermaritzburg said the matter, due to be heard in August, was still on the roll.

United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa claimed he had heard that the NPA would announce that the charges would be dropped, but that "apparently, as part of a public relations exercise, the NPA will be referring some aspects of this matter to the police for 'further investigation'." In the meantime, the ANC, after denying that Zuma would be speaking in downtown Johannesburg on Friday, issued a statement on its HIV/Aids policy, following a media report on the matter.

With acknowledgements to Sapa.