By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
@GettyImages.
Former President Jacob Zuma’s private prosecution case against President Cyril Ramaphosa has been removed from the court roll.
Zuma was accusing Ramaphosa of committing a criminal offence by not acting against State advocate Billy Downer and News24 Journalist Karyn Maughan in 2021 regarding a leaking of the former president’s medical records.
Previously the Johannesburg High Court ruled that Zuma’s case hinged on an ulterior motive.
In July 2023, the Supreme Court of Appeal ordered that Zuma’s private prosecution of Ramaphosa was unlawful and unconstitutional, and it was set aside. It also interdicted the private prosecution and declared the summons issued against the President to be unlawful and invalid. The matter was dismissed with costs, including those of two counsels, to be paid on the attorney and client scale.
During the proceedings counsel for the former president, advocate Khosi Pama-Sihunu said: “my lady, it is my instructions to remove this matter from the roll.”
Pamla-Sihunu told Judge Moleboheng Mdalana-Mayisela that both parties agreed to the decision.
The order of the Gauteng High Court was read out to a room void of any supporters of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, with the only audience being counsel for both parties and a handful of journalists.
The court’s order removing the matter from the roll follows former Zuma’s unsuccessful attempt to appeal through the high court, the Supreme Court of Appeal and then the Constitutional Court.
Zuma, who now leads the MK party, initiated private prosecutions against Ramaphosa on the eve of the ANC 55TH national elective conference on 15 December 2023.
Meanwhile Zuma will no longer attend the State of the Nation Address (SONA).
This is due to his court appearance in his ongoing arms deal corruption trial. Zuma and French arms trader Thales are facing corruption, racketeering, fraud, and tax evasion charges.
The MK Party is scheduled to hold what it claims is the “real SONA” on 11 February. It was supposed to have taken place on 5 February but was postponed.