South Africa's prosecutions boss Shaun Abrahams on Tuesday said he has given the team dealing with corruption allegations against embattled State President Jacob Zuma until next Friday to make recommendations on whether he should be charged.
"The NPA [National Prosecuting Authority] confirms that the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), Advocate Shaun Abrahams, has directed the prosecution team to provide him with their recommendations by no later than Friday, 23 February 2018. Upon receipt thereof, the National Director will advise on the way forward, including the date by which he would advise of his decision," a short statement from the NPA said.
Zuma on January 31 filed papers with the NPA explaining why he should not face fraud and corruption charges.
The NPA had set an initial deadline of November 30 last year, but Zuma asked and was granted a seven-week extension.
On November 30, South Africa’s biggest opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), filed papers with the NPA outlining why 783 counts of corruption, fraud, money laundering, and racketeering against Zuma, should immediately be instituted.
The Supreme Court of Appeal last year refused the NPA and Zuma leave to appeal a high court ruling which set aside the 2009 decision to drop the charges - related to South Africa's arms deal.
- African News Agency (ANA)
