Zuma NPA representations worrying: Maimane

Responding to a City Press report, Maimane said he would be writing to Zuma for clarity on his "disturbing position".

 

"President Zuma evidently sees corruption as something that should be swept under the carpet without repercussions," Maimane said.

 

"With these comments it is clear that President Zuma speaks with a forked tongue when he commits to tackling corruption, especially in the public sector."

 

The City Press reported on Sunday that Zuma's lawyers had argued that corruption was a victimless crime.

 

These were part of Zuma's 2009 written representations to the National Prosecuting Authority contained in a detailed NPA analysis document, which City Press had obtained.

 

This synopsis was attached to a memorandum dated March 3, 2009 and drawn up by advocate Billy Downer, the senior state prosecutor who was seconded to the now defunct Directorate of Special Operations, also known as the Scorpions, for the Zuma investigation.

 

At the time, Zuma had already been elected president of the ANC but was not yet president of the country.

 

Zuma's lawyer Michael Hulley made representations to the NPA for the charges against him to be dropped.