Former President Jacob Zuma is escalating his legal battle by taking the pursuit of private prosecution against President Cyril Ramaphosa to the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA). This move comes after the High Court in Johannesburg nullified the private prosecution in July this year, which was initiated on the eve of the African National Congress (ANC)’s national elective conference in December.
The legal dispute centers around Zuma’s assertion that President Ramaphosa failed to take action on a complaint against State advocate Billy Downer. Notably, Zuma has also initiated a private prosecution against Downer, a case that faced a similar fate with the High Court’s review and setting aside.
In a brief appearance on Monday, Jacob Zuma, visibly upbeat, appeared in court while President Cyril Ramaphosa was represented by his legal team. The court heard that Zuma has petitioned the SCA for leave to appeal the July ruling of the High Court, which set aside his private prosecution of President Ramaphosa. Additionally, it was noted that the legal team representing President Ramaphosa intends to oppose this petition.
Furthermore, Zuma seeks to consolidate this appeal with another one aimed at challenging the invalidation of his private prosecutions of both Billy Downer and journalist Karyn Maughan.
The legal proceedings have been postponed until April 11, 2024, allowing for the necessary preparations and submissions. The case continues to draw attention as the legal intricacies unfold, with implications for the broader political landscape.
