Prosecutors dropped criminal charges against African National Congress President Jacob Zuma on Monday, a move that seems to all but guarantee he will be elected to be South Africa's president when ballots are cast later this month.
"I stand before you today to announce the most difficult decision I ever made in my life," acting National Director of Public Prosecutions Mokotedi Mpshe said in a statement. Mpshe said the move came after several weeks involving a "painful process of dealing with allegations that the case against Mr. Zuma had been affected by manipulation and abuse of process." Namely, he detailed information about alleged collusion between the former heads of the NPA and the Directorate of Special Operations (DSO, also known as the Scorpions) to manipulate Zuma's case — information that included recordings of telephone calls in which things like the timing of charges and political affiliation were reportedly discussed.
"I am a Thabo [Mbeki] man," one reportedly said in a recorded conversation, according to a transcript provided by prosecutors. "I mean we are still wiping the blood from our faces, or egg, or egg and blood from our faces."
Willie Hofmeyr, head of the Asset Forfeiture Unit and Special Investigating Unit, and Adv Sibongile Mzinyathi were appointed to listen to, verify, and investigate the recordings. Mpshe said that the ensuing investigation determined "an intolerable abuse has occurred which compels a discontinuation of the prosecution."
Zuma was charged with multiple counts including fraud, corruption, money laundering and racketeering linked to payments he received from his financial advisor, Schabir Shaik. Shaik, whose medical parole last month stirred controversy after he served only about two years of his 15 year sentence, was convicted on corruption and fraud charges linked to the same arms deal scandal that has hung over Zuma for years. Shaik was found to have given Zuma bribes from a subsidiary of Thales, a French arms company.
"For the record, I wish to state that the NPA was not presented with any further evidence or information about the arms deal or the involvement of others in it," Mpshe said.
Zuma's party quickly issued a statement Monday praising the move to drop charges. "This decision is a victory for the rule of law, decency and common sense - it is good for our nation, the ANC, and Comrade President Zuma's family," the statement reads. "Comrade President has endured many years of relentless persecution from individuals with ulterior political motives."
