Decision to drop corruption charges against Zuma was irrational, court rules

In a judgement read out earlier, Deputy Judge President Aubrey Ledwaba said the decision by former acting National Prosecuting Authority, Mokotedi Mpshe to drop the corruption, fraud, racketeering and money laundering charges against Zuma was irrational. 

"Mr. Mpshe, in his own words, on April 1, stated that he felt angry and betrayed. Having regard to the conspectus of the evidence before us, we find that Mr. Mpshe found himself under pressure and decided to discontinue the prosecution of Jacob Zuma and," he said.  

The application to have Mpshe's decision to drop the charges against Zuma reviewed was brought by the Democratic Alliance. 

Mpshe's controversial decision was announced after he listened to a conversation between then Scorpions head Leonard McCarthy and former NPA boss, Bulelani Ngcuka in the so-called spy tapes.

He alleged Zuma's prosecution was orchestrated to ensure a different outcome at the ANC's Polokwane Conference.

Deputy Judge President Ledwaba has made the following order.

"One - The application succeeds. Two - the decision of the first respondent dated 1 April 2009 to discontinue the prosecution of the case against the third respondent in accordance with the indictment set on him on the 28 December 2007 is reviewed as set aside. 

"Three - the first, second and the third respondent are ordered jointly and severally to pay the cost of the applicant including costs of free counsel," he said. 

(File photo: Gallo Images)