ANC statement on the NPA appeal

The African National Congress (ANC) has today (22 October 2008) noted the decision by judge Chris Nicholson to grant the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) leave to appeal against the September 12 judgment which invalidated charges brought against ANC president Jacob Zuma [see here]. As stated before, the ANC respects the independence of the judiciary which is enshrined in the Constitution.

The move by the NPA, coming after the earlier vindication and exoneration of Comrade Zuma by the Pietermaritzburg High Court signals yet another attempt to resurrect the trial and block the ANC president from running and becoming head of State. We believe that our president has been a subject of a vindictive prosecution. All three branches of Government had denied Comrade Zuma equal protection of the law. The September judgment made it clear that the NPA acted as though it was a law unto itself with undue political interference.

We want to reaffirm the ANC's unwavering support for Comrade Zuma as the face of the organisation in the run-up to the 2009 elections and future president of the country.

We further want to remind South Africans of years of suffering inflicted upon Comrade Zuma due to this unfair trial. Throughout the investigation and prosecution of the case, Comrade Zuma has had his rights repeatedly violated by the institutions of State, something which led to the case being thrown out of courts.

The ANC urges people to continue demonstrating their support for the ANC president more than ever before. As the ANC, we maintain that the outcome of the Zuma trial on 12 September 2008 was a victory for justice and the Constitution.

Statement issued by the African National Congress October 22 2008