Off the wire
• 3 IS militants killed in eastern Afghan airstrikes  • German firms to cooperate in Iran's petrochemical projects  • Xi urges youth to work toward well-being of nation, people  • Chinese tech company opens N. American headquarters  • 2nd LD: S. African court sets aside decision to drop corruption charges against Zuma  • World Bank to increase current project funding for Belarus  • Urgent: S. African court sets aside decision to drop corruption charges against Zuma  • 1st LD: S. African court sets aside decision to drop corruption charges against Zuma  • Foreign drivers no more dangerous on New Zealand roads than locals: minister  • Singapore stocks end down 0.83 pct  
You are here: 　 Home

3rd LD: S. African court sets aside decision to drop corruption charges against Zuma (3rd lead)

Xinhua, April 29, 2016 Adjust font size:

The South African High Court in Pretoria on Friday set aside a 2009 decision by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to drop corruption charges against President Jacob Zuma.

The decision by NPA former head Mokotedi Mpshe was irrational as he acted "alone and impulsively", the court ruled.

Mpshe should have followed the legal processes on emergence of the "spy tapes" and allow the courts to decide if the charges should have been withdrawn, Judge Aubrey Ledwaba said.

The NPA and its current head Shaun Abrahams must now decide if it will recharge Zuma with the original 783 counts of corruption, the court ruled.

The application to set aside the decision to drop corruption charges against Zuma was submitted by the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA).

"The DA's application succeeds: The decision of first respondent in 2009 to discontinue prosecution is reviewed and set aside," the court ruled. Endit