Ramaphosa slams Zuma’s private prosecution as “blatant abuse of process”

Zuma is seeking to privately prosecute Ramaphosa over his alleged failure to act after the graft-tainted former president’s confidential medical report was leaked.

Ramaphosa, according to the summons, must appear in the High Court in Johannesburg on 19 January 2023.

Ramaphosa, in his court documents challenging Zuma’s private prosecution bid, is seeking to interdict the decision that he appears before the court.

He is also challenging the validity of the nolle prosequi certificate issued by the NPA.

Zuma has accused Ramaphosa of being an accessory after the fact and defeating the ends of justice in relation to the medical report.

The former statesman has claimed that Ramaphosa failed to act against state prosecutor Billy Downer and journalist Karyn Maughan after the pair allegedly conspired and published his confidential medical record.

While blasting the issuing of the certificate, Ramaphosa also slammed the summons as “unlawful, unconstitutional, and invalid.”

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Ramaphosa gave an array of reasons why the private prosecution case should be struck down.

Most notably, “because the private prosecuting is pursued for an ulterior purpose” – in breach of the Constitution.

“Zuma wanted to disqualify me from contesting the position of ANC President,” Ramaphosa wrote after he was served with the summons on the eve of the ANC’s national conference in December.

The ANC’s step-aside rule disqualifies anyone facing criminal proceedings contesting leadership positions.

Ramaphosa emerged victorious and secured a second term at the helm of the governing ANC.

“The summonses were also issued that I would not be permitted to continue as the elected President whilst the criminal proceedings against me continue. This is a blatant abuse of process.”

Ramaphosa is also seeking a punitive cost order against Zuma and/or his legal representatives.