Twitter (@KarynMaughan)
The South African National Editors' Forum (SANEF) has reacted with outrage after News24's specialist legal writer Karyn Maughan was cited as a respondent in the latest court papers filed by former president Jacob Zuma's legal representatives.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has issued the former President with a certificate which allows him to pursue a private prosecution against state prosecutor Billy Downer.
Zuma wants Downer to recuse himself as a prosecutor in his corruption trial, arguing that his past conduct would compromise his case.
Maughan, as a journalist, previously wrote a story following a letter from Brigadier-General Mcebisi Mdutywa informing prison and prosecuting authorities about Zuma’s health status.
Zuma’s legal team has since last year claimed Downer leaked this letter to Maughan.
SANEF says this is an inaccurate assertion as the letter from Mdutywa was part of court documents that were already filed, making it a public record.
The Forum says it will support News24 as it prepares to defend legal action taken against Maughan.
Zuma and French arms company Thales are facing charges of corruption, racketeering and money laundering relating to the 1999 multi-billion-rand arms deal.
The NPA's Mthunzi Mhaga says they believe the former President's pursuit of Downer is baseless but accept that due process should be followed.
Mhaga said the NPA would support Adv Downer in defending himself against what they consider to be an abusive private prosecution.
The case against Zuma and Thales is set to resume on the 15th of August in the Pietermaritzburg high court.
