President Cyril Ramaphosa will learn on Monday morning whether he has persuaded the court to grant him an interim interdict that would prevent former president Jacob Zuma from hauling him before a criminal court on January 19.
The Johannesburg High Court on Thursday heard arguments from various lawyers representing the President, as well as his predecessor and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
Zuma is accusing Ramaphosa of failing to act against prosecutor, Advocate Billy Downer, for the alleged disclosure of his medical records. Zuma also accused the NPA of being dishonest regarding the issuing of the nolle prosequi certificates.
Arguing in court on Thursday on an interim interdict, Ramaphosa’s lawyers said Jacob Zuma’s private prosecution attempt trampled on his rights. Zuma’s team accused the president of ‘arrogance’ and maintained he had been charged and must appear in court.
Lawyer for President Cyril Ramaphosa, Advocate Ngwako Maenetjie, argued that the President’s right would be trampled upon in the private prosecution bid launched by Zuma.
Maenetjie said the law provides the President with protection over what he says is unlawful prosecution.
“Now when he says go to that court and plead, you have the right. Of course, we have the right to go to that court, but we also have the right to assert our constitutional rights in saying we cannot be hauled before an unlawful trial, criminal proceedings.
“We have those rights, and my client has decided to assert the right to approach this court that he is entitled to protect him from having his rights trampled upon by a private prosecutor who, prima Facie, and that’s the case we have to make, prima facie he’s conducting an unlawful private prosecution.”
Source: Mail&Guardian, Business Day, Daily Maverick, SABC News, image from Twitter: @Puleng_Nathane