We didn't interfere - Mbeki

2008-09-14 20:07

Johannesburg - President Thabo Mbeki said on Sunday government had not interfered in any prosecutorial work of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the SABC reported.

"We were not cited as respondents in this particular case, the only respondents were the NPA. "

"If there are things or information that was required from the Presidency [and], the rest of the government about any of these matters, we were never given an opportunity to provide any such information," he said.

Mbeki was responding to Friday's judgement in African National Congress president Jacob Zuma's case, in which Judge Chris Nicholson criticised Mbeki and his cabinet in this regard.

Mbeki said the government's law advisors were now examining Justice Nicholson's judgment to decide on a way forward.

Nicholson ruled that the decision to prosecute Zuma on corruption and fraud charges was invalid.

Nicholson agreed with Zuma that the case against him appeared to be part of a strategy linked to the rivalry between himself and Mbeki for leadership of the ANC.

He said Mbeki's sacking of Zuma as deputy president was unfair.

The timing of Zuma's being recharged shortly after being elected president of the ANC in December 2007 was also "most unfortunate", said the judge.

- SAPA