Court hears why corruption charges against Zuma can't be reinstated
As a country we can't allow the prosecution of one person to impact the independence of the prosecuting authority - this is according to the NPA's legal representative Hilton Epstein.
He's been presenting arguments in the DA's application to have the 2009 NDPP decision to discontinue the case against President Jacob Zuma reviewed.
Epstein once again argued that this court couldn't reinstate the charges but can only disagree with the then NDPP chair.
However, Epstein stressed that just because the court disagrees - it doesn't mean it can intervene. He explained that the then Scorpions boss Leonard McCarthy manipulated the legal process for his own political agenda. He quotes Mpshe saying why he couldn't continue with the prosecution.
"Then he says as the office of the court, I feel personally wronged and betrayed that on a number of occasions, I have given evidence under oath that there has not been any meddling or manipulation of the process in this matter," he said.
Earlier, Epstein cited an international case from the UK to explain why then National Director of Public Prosecutions Moketedi Mpshe's decision was valid.
"We rely precisely on that, that this is his discretion - that is the National Director. And unless there are allegations that he was mala fide or that he had an ulterior motive or that he didn't apply his mind then his discretion stands and the court should not impose its own wisdom on what the court would have done or what the court believes was reasonable," he said.
Epstein concluded his argument, stressing the importance of the NPA's independence.
(File photo: Gallo Images)