'A culture of Zuma bashing'

2006-09-22 12:02

Johannesburg - Former deputy president Jacob Zuma on Friday accused the National Prosecuting Authority of abusing its powers and violating his rights in its push to prosecute him on fraud and corruption charges.

Speaking during a live televised media conference in Johannesburg, two days after the Pietermaritzburg High Court struck the corruption and bribery case against him off its roll, he said the NPA, through leaks to the media, had created a "culture of Zuma bashing".

"It is now well known that the investigation and campaign against me was supported by regular leaks of information to the media, and intense lobbying of the media for support," he said.

"Through this, they created a culture of Zuma bashing."

It was unfortunate that despite his readiness to clear his name, the NPA had failed to make its case.

On statements by the NPA that Wednesday's High Court decision was temporary and technical in nature, Zuma said: "I fail to see the technical aspects to which they allude."

To label the ruling as technical was being "economical with the truth".

"The statement by the NPA that it will reinstate the prosecution against me at the appropriate time displays an arrogance misplaced in such an important institution of state.

"One must be reminded that the NPA has no intention of proceeding against me on the original charges... how then does one appreciate their determination to on charges still to be investigated and properly formulated.

"The inference must be that such investigations are designed to lead to a prosecution instead of a determination of the truth," he said.

Zuma also said he was "deeply concerned" over the media's reporting of his case, which had focused on a "presidential race".

There was no such thing, he said.

- SAPA