The star Online
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
November 13, 2006 Edition 3
Wendy Jasson da Costa
The head of the National Prosecuting Authority, Vusi Pikoli, says the NPA are not apologetic about their decision to prosecute former deputy president Jacob Zuma.
Speaking on the SABC programme Interface last night, Pikoli said: "In terms of what we have now and what we had then, it was definitely a case to be answered." However, in September, Pietermaritzburg High Court Judge Herbert Msimang failed to grant the NPA a postponement in the matter and threw the case out of court.
At the time, Judge Msimang said the prosecution's reasons and approach to the case had "jettisoned" standard legal practice "in favour of some non-procedural policy" and "ill-advised decision-making".
Last night, however, Pikoli said: "From our side we are confident that we never made a mistake … it's just unfortunate it did not go our way."
Pikoli said the NPA was ensuring that it was fully prepared before making its next move against Zuma. He said it was not true that they had rushed to prosecute Zuma, saying that the prosecutors had decided that there "was enough for Zuma to answer".
Asked whether Zuma and jailed businessman Schabir Shaik should not have been charged together, he said he respected the decision of his predecessor.
On whether the arms deal investigation would be reopened, Pikoli stressed that this would happen only if there was new information