NEWS ANALYSIS: Method in the madness of Jacob Zuma’s about-turn
The concession gives the president the chance to hand the matter to a key ally — NPA boss Shaun Abrahams
President Jacob Zuma’s concession that the decision to drop the 783 counts of corruption, racketeering, money laundering and fraud charges against him was irrational can hardly be construed as a defeat. Rather, the concession gives the president the opportunity to put the matter into the safe hands of a key ally, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) boss Shaun Abrahams. Zuma and the NPA approached the Supreme Court of Appeal after the High Court in Pretoria ruled that the charges, which were withdrawn in 2009, be reinstated. However, in a surprise about-turn at the 11th hour, Zuma’s counsel said he agreed that the decision was irrational and was happy for a trial to commence. But the concession had a catch. The president wants to be able to make fresh representations to the NPA.
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