
FILE: Former President Jacob Zuma standing with his successor President Cyril Ramaphosa, they are entangle in a legal fight. PICTURE: GCIS
JOHANNESBURG: The judgment means that Mr Ramaphosa will not have to stand in the dock this week as an accused.
The Johannesburg High Court has granted the president of South Africa, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa an interim interdict against the private prosecution brought against him by former president, Mr Jacob Zuma.
Delivering his judgement, Deputy Judge president, Mr Roland Sutherland says Mr Zuma will not suffer any harm if there is a delay in his private prosecution against Ramaphosa.
He says that Mr Ramaphosa can, in any event, face any criminal liability in this case if Mr Billy Downer and Ms Karyn Maughan are convicted of the charges levelled against us by Mr Zuma.
Mr Ramaphosa approached the courts for relief from Mr Zuma’s private prosecution of him in his matter against State prosecutor Mr Downer, and News24 Journalist Ms Maughan.
Mr Zuma has accused Mr Downer and Ms Maughan of leaking his confidential medical records in the arms deal case and is charging Mr Ramaphosa for failing to act against them.
The matter was heard by a full bench last week. Mr Sutherland says Mr Zuma is prohibited from following the nolle prosequi certificates from 6 June 2022 and 21 November 2022 against Mr Ramaphosa, and from pursuing the private prosecution until Part B has been determined.
The judgment means that Mr Ramaphosa will not have to stand in the dock this week as an accused.