The much-anticipated legal bout between former President Jacob Zuma and President Cyril Ramaphosa, initially set for Tuesday this week, will not be heard on Thursday, January 12.
The matter concerns the private prosecution Zuma initiated against NPA’s (National Prosecuting Authority) Advocate Billy Downer SC and News24 Karyn Maughan for allegedly leaking and publishing his medical information last year.
ANNOUNCEMENT:
— JGZuma Foundation (Official) (@JGZ_Foundation) January 9, 2023
The application brought by President Ramaphosa against H.E President Zuma,which was scheduled to be heard on Tuesday 10 January, will now be argued on Thursday 12 January 2023 in the Johannesburg High Court,as directed by the Judge allocated to the matter.
Zuma later dragged in Ramaphosa, claiming that he is an accomplice in the matter since the alleged transgressions of Downer were reported to him and he failed to act in his capacity as the head of state.
Zuma’s private summons which was served to him last month stipulated that Ramaphosa should appear before the Johannesburg high court on January 19, 2023, and face the music.
However, Ramaphosa has since launched an urgent court action to set aside the summons, claiming that Zuma is abusing the legal processes.
On Friday Zuma filed his responding papers where he said Ramaphosa is seeking special treatment as a criminally charged and accused person.
Furthermore, Zuma argued that Ramaphosa's application should be dismissed as it has failed to meet the requirements of an interim interdict.
On Monday, Mzwanele Manyi, the spokesperson of the Jacob Zuma foundation whose patron is Zuma, said the matter would be heard on Thursday.
“The application brought by President Ramaphosa against H.E (His Excellency) President Zuma, which was scheduled to be heard on Tuesday 10 January, will now be argued on Thursday 12 January 2023 in the Johannesburg High Court, as directed by the Judge allocated to the matter,” Manyi said.
Manyi also dismissed news reports that the legal team of Zuma missed deadlines to file its responding papers after Ramaphosa launched the court bid.
‘Time table/directions from the judge.
“Opposing Affidavits for 1st, 2nd and 3rd respondents = 12h00 on the 9th January 2023. Applicant to file Answering Affidavit on 10th January 2023 by 12h00. All parties are to file their Heads of Arguments on the 11th January 2023 by 12h00. The case will be heard on the 12th of January 2023. So, the screaming headlines that "Zuma missed the deadline" belong to fake news. The deadline that counts is the one set by the judge,” he said.
sihle.mavuso@inl.co.za
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