Zuma Talks Enter Day Two |
Publication |
Cape Times |
Date | 2009-03-31 |
Reporter | Sapa |
Web Link | www.capetimes.co.za |
The National Prosecuting Authority was set to enter a second day of talks on
Tuesday about the possibility of dropping graft charges against ANC leader Jacob
Zuma, reports said.
NPA bosses were locked in a marathon meeting on Monday to discuss an
"entire basket of information" on Zuma's
case, NPA spokesperson Tlali Tlali said.
Business Day newspaper reported that sources close to the meeting said the NPA
was expected to make an announcement at a press conference on Tuesday.
The Star newspaper said the discussions between the NPA's acting head, Mokotedi
Mpshe, Asset Forfeiture Unit boss Willie Hofmeyr
and prosecutor Billy Downer were "difficult".
SABC radio reported that the meeting was a "confidential process" which
was expected to continue on Tuesday.
The meeting was assessing progress made so far on the information the NPA had
received from Zuma's legal team on the representations they had made in the
hopes of having the case against him
dropped.
"It is this entire basket of information that must be properly considered. It is
our view that it is not in anyone's interest for this issue to remain unresolved
over a lengthy period of time," Tlali told Sapa on Monday.
"The NPA is giving it [the] priority attention it deserves. The urgency that
attaches to the process should not be at the expense of procedures that as a
matter of law must be followed.
"The NPA will appropriately communicate its decision once there is one in
place," he said.
Zuma, the ruling African National Congress' presidential candidate, is facing
fraud and corruption charges related to a multi-billion rand government arms
deal.
The announcement could end a lengthy legal battle between the authority and Zuma.
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With acknowledgements to Sapa and Cape Times.