The ANC has reaffirmed its confidence in the criminal justice system following the announcement on Friday that former President Jacob Zuma will be prosecuted for corruption.
NPA boss Shaun Abrahams said that he had informed Zuma, via his lawyers, about his decision.
Abrahams told a media briefing on Friday that Zuma disputed the charges against him.
In a statement, the ANC said that it had “noted the decision of the National Prosecuting Authority to reinstate charges of corruption against the former President of the ANC and the Republic of South Africa, Comrade Jacob Zuma.”
ANC national spokesperson, Pule Mabe, said that “the ANC reaffirms its confidence in our country’s criminal justice system and our respect for the independence of the judiciary. “
“We equally affirm our commitment to the constitutionally enshrined principle of equality of all before the law,” said Mabe.
The ANC called on South Africans at large to afford the NPA space to conduct its work unhindered.
“We continue to assert the inalienable right of all in our country, including Comrade Jacob Zuma, to be presumed innocent until and if proven guilty,” Mabe said.
DA leader, Mmusi Maimane, said: "this is a victory for all who have fought for years for Jacob Zuma to face accountability for his crimes."
"That accountability starts now," he said.
Maimane said the DA would fight any attempt by Zuma to delay this any further, including his application for a stay of prosecution.
UDM leader, Bantu Holomisa said "that this has happened, in part due, to sustained pressure from the opposition and civil society, which is a sign that some of the checks and balances of our democracy is healthy and hail.
"Mr Zuma should be sued for the R15 million of taxpayers' money that he has squandered on legal fees to defend his dubious deeds," he said.
In its reaction, the Congress of the People said that Abrahams’ decision “brings an end to the despicable and sorry period in our post-apartheid era”.
“It remains unconscionable in the first instance that the ANC sought it fit to subject our Country and its people to such a discredited individual,” said Cope MP, Willie Madisha.
He said the damage inflicted by this corruptible and corrupted person becomes more evident and damning with each passing day.
“South Africans must take note how the ANC allowed Zuma to decimate and practically destroy the careers of certain NDPP’s and the independence of the NPA in abusing his office and powers to avoid his day in court,” Madisha said.
The IFP said that the decision to prosecute Zuma is in itself a damning indictment on the state of capture of the NPA under the Zuma presidency.
“The IFP calls for this matter to be prosecuted without delay and for a full Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the fitness of Shaun Abrahams and all prosecutors involved in this matter at the NPA to be held. As far as we are concerned this was an abuse of the Rule of Law and constitutes obstruction of justice and criminality,” said IFM MP, Narend Singh.
The civil rights organisation AfriForum said it welcomed the announcement.
According to advocate Gerrie Nel, Head of AfriForum’s Private Prosecuting Unit, they will monitor the NPA’s actions to ensure that the prosecution runs smoothly.
Legal expert Ulrich Roux said that indictments will now have to be served on Zuma for him to appear in court.
Zuma will face 16 charges related to fraud, corruption, racketeering and money-laundering.
