NPA head ‘has to show he’s here to serve’

The National Director of Public Prosecutions needs to show he is working for the people and is not “a lackey” of President Jacob Zuma, Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane says.

Maimane, who was campaigning in Durban, said yesterday Zuma needed to have his day in court and face 783 corruption charges that were withdrawn by former acting National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) head Mokotedi Mpshe in April 2009.

“Shaun Abrahams, pictured, must prove that he is not a lackey of Jacob Zuma, he’s not an appointee of Jacob Zuma. He must prove that he’s here to serve the people of this country.”

Maimane said Abrahams needed to realise his position as NPA head did not entitle him to operate outside the law.

He warned that Abrahams would have to account to the courts for any decision not to proceed with the prosecution of the president and that if he did not do so, the DA would challenge him.

“Those 700-odd charges must stand against President Jacob Zuma. He must have his day in court,” said Maimane.

Maimane said the NPA did not have any discretion about charging Zuma. “In our view, the decision [in 2009] was to discontinue the charges, which means the charges stood. They [the NPA] decided to discontinue prosecution. If that decision was irrational, then prosecution must proceed.”

On Friday, a unanimous decision of the North Gauteng High Court ruled the decision by Mpshe to drop the prosecution against Zuma was irrational and it set aside that decision.

Maimane’s visit to Wentworth did not go unchallenged, with ANC supporters bringing out their own sound system as Maimane attempted to address supporters outside The Ark, a shelter for the homeless in Wentworth.

In both Wentworth and the informal settlement on Palmiet Drive in Clare estate, Maimane said Zuma had forgotten about the people in the two settlements.

He accused the ANC of being only interested in protecting Zuma.

“It’s clear that we must bring a change that delivers basic services for the people and cut corruption.”

He said the ANC’s failure to fill the stadium when it launched its local government manifesto in Port Elizabeth last month was indicative of how people were feeling. – ANA