After two gruelling days of meetings behind closed doors, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said it would announce on Friday when the Jacob Zuma matter would be concluded.

NPA head Mokotedi Mpshe said shortly after the meeting had adjourned yesterday that the matter had not been finalised.

“We will tell you on Friday when the decision will be announced,” he said.

Mpshe said he had not yet informed Zuma’s legal team whether the NPA would drop the fraud, corruption and racketeering charges against the African National Congress president.

“I’m still busy with the verification processes,” Mpshe said.

The NPA has been poring over submissions from Zuma’s lawyers as to why they believe the case should come to an end.

NPA spokesman Tlali Tlali said there were certain “ pieces of the puzzle” which the NPA needed to work through before reaching a final decision.

It is understood the NPA is double-checking information relating to alleged political interference in Zuma’s case.

The delay may be motivated by the NPA’s need to deal with the possible consequences of the alleged wrongdoing on the part of any of its staff *1.

Zuma told a business breakfast meeting in Johannesburg yesterday that he too was awaiting word from the NPA.

“It is important that we respect the constitution and our rule of law and when processes are happening within the rule of law we cannot jump ahead and interfere.

“We can’t attack a decision that you do not know,” Zuma said, referring to efforts by opposition parties to convince the NPA to continue his prosecution.

With acknowledgements to Karima Brown, Hajra Omarjee, Amy Musgrave and Business Day.