DA undermines rule of law

27 March 2009

In its call on the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to proceed with charges against ANC President Jacob Zuma no matter what, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has revealed its contempt for the rule of law.

It is an act of rank opportunism and blatant hypocrisy.

While the DA claims it respects due legal process, it will only do so if the outcome of that process serves its own political purposes.

In September 2008, DA leader Helen Zille said: "The NPA, in prosecuting Zuma and other high profile individuals, such as Jackie Selebi, has demonstrated that it operates 'without fear, favour or prejudice' as it is constitutionally obliged to do."

Now that there are media reports, unconfirmed, that NPA is considering dropping the charges, the DA has suddenly changed its mind. If the NPA drops the charges, the DA says, it will "fail the criminal justice system itself".

The DA has no respect for the constitutional principles of equality before the law and the presumption of innocence. If it did, it would not have prejudged the case against Zuma and determined his guilt.

The truth is that the DA has no interest in justice. It is concerned that a major plank of its election platform - the vilification of Jacob Zuma - may collapse with an NPA decision not to prosecute.

If the DA had evidence that would have helped the NPA make a decision on whether or not to prosecute Zuma it should have made that information available to the prosecuting authority long ago. Has it been withholding evidence all this time?

The ANC has consistently held the view that the law must be allowed to take its course. The NPA must be able to exercise its responsibility to bring charges or not without fear or favour. That remains our view and the approach we will continue to take.

The ANC has neither the means nor the desire to interfere in the decisions of the NPA. Like everyone else, we await the outcome of the representations made by Zuma's legal team.

We will need to accept whatever the NPA decides. If indeed the DA is committed to the rule of law, it should do the same.

Issued by:
Jessie Duarte
National Spokesperson

More information:
Brian Sokutu 071 671 6919
Ishmael Mnisi 082 333 5550