Mbeki, Zuma to meet face-to-face

2008-11-26 07:22

Philip de Bruin

Johannesburg - Former president Thabo Mbeki and ANC president Jacob Zuma will probably meet each other face-to-face in a courtroom in Bloemfontein on Friday.

This will be at the National Prosecuting Authority's (NPA)appeal against a judgment by Judge Chris Nicholson earlier this year in KwaZulu-Natal.

Lasarus Mothupi, deputy director of media liaison at the Department of Justice, confirmed that Zuma would attend the proceedings and that Mbeki had also indicated that he would be present.

"I'm just waiting for confirmation from his protocol team."

Battle fought via documents

Up to now the battle between the two had been fought in court documents.

Mothupi said the arrangements for Friday were "as far as I know, the most extensive ever at the Appeal Court."

Even the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) was involved.

Among other things, special arrangements had to be made for all the vehicle convoys of the VIPs and their bodyguards.

Apart from Mbeki and Zuma, other political leaders were also expected, but no names had been announced as yet.

The organising committee was nervous about possible demonstrations by Zuma supporters.

According to law, no procession, demonstration or gathering may be held closer than 500m from the entrance of a court building.

Provision is being made to take action against those who disregard this rule.

Media coverage

Two international TV stations, CNN and CBS, will be at the court. SABC and e.tv will provide local coverage.

Only accredited people will be allowed into the courtroom.

Nicholson found that the NPA had acted unlawfully when it decided in December last year to prosecute Zuma on charges of fraud and theft, among others.

Mbeki has applied to be allowed to the proceedings either as intervening party or as amicus curiae (friend of the court).

This application will be heard on Friday, along with the NPA's appeal.

The reason why Mbeki wants to intervene, is because Nicholson made several passing remarks about him in his judgment, among others, that he and current and former members of his Cabinet had interfered with the NPA's decision about Zuma.

Mbeki has denied this and wants to prove that it is not true.

- Beeld