Former president Jacob Zuma has launched a private prosecution against State advocate Billy Downer and News24 journalist Karyn Maughan.
Last year, Zuma opened a criminal case against Downer for “leaking” a medical note from his military doctor to the News24 journalist Karyn Maughan.
Mthunzi Mhaga, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson confirmed that Downer was this week served with a summons by the sheriff in respect of charges relating to the alleged contravention of section 41(6) of the NPA Act.
It is understood that Maughan has also been served with a summons. They are to appear in the Pietermaritzburg high court on October 10.
Zuma initiated the private prosecution after he laid criminal charges, which the NPA declined to prosecute.
The so-called confidential medical details were contained in a report attached to court papers filed by Zuma’s own lawyers, at a time when he claimed he was too ill to attend his trial before judge Piet Koen in the Pietermaritzburg high court.
The report did not give specific details regarding Zuma’s condition, and it was reported on by other media houses. Legal experts have said this is another ploy by Zuma in his “Stalingrad” litigation approach to his trial.
“The NPA and its leadership fully support Advocate Downer as we believe that these charges are without merit. They are only designed to intimidate him in the prosecution of Mr Zuma, and to further delay the trial. The private prosecution amounts to an abuse of the process.
“Advocate Downer will continue to lead the NPA’s prosecution team in the Zuma/Thales trial. He has the NPA leadership’s full confidence. His track record of prosecutorial integrity and professionalism speaks for itself,” said Mhaga.
Zuma faces charges of fraud, corruption, racketeering and money laundering. The charges allegedly stem for the bribes Zuma took from French arms manufacturer Thales, through his former financial adviser, Shabir Shaik.
Source: News24, Eyewitness News, Business Day, Sowetan Live, The Witness, image from Twitter: Eyewitness News