SCA dismisses another bid by Zuma to reinstate private prosecution of Downer, Maughan
Zuma instituted a private prosecution against the two last September.
FILE: Former President Jacob Zuma. Picture: Xanderleigh Dookey Makhaza/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) has dismissed another attempt by former president, Jacob Zuma, to reinstate his private prosecution of State advocate, Billy Downer, and Karyn Maughan.
Zuma instituted a private prosecution against the two last September.
This over his claims that the State had illegally leaked Maughan what he deemed to be a "confidential" doctor’s note during the course of his arms deal corruption trial.
Downer is the lead prosecutor in the case.
It was subsequently set aside as an abuse of process, though.
Last June, the High Court in Pietermaritzburg set aside the private prosecution, finding, among others, that Zuma had instituted it with an ulterior motive and was abusing the process.
He then tried to appeal the ruling in the Supreme Court of Appeal but was unsuccessful.
An unwavering Zuma then approached SCA President Mahube Molemela directly with an application for his case to be reconsidered.
That bid, however, has now also proved unsuccessful, with Molemela handing down an order on Wednesday, in which she found there were no exceptional circumstances, as required by the relevant legislation.