A RECENT HISTORY OF JACOB ZUMA’S COURT BATTLES

1999, June – Thabo Mbeki appoints Jacob Zuma to the job of Deputy President.

2003, August – Then prosecutions boss, Bulelani Ngcuka, indicts Schabir Shaik, Zuma’s financial advisor on two counts of corruption, but does not indict Zuma, who is said to be the recipient of the corrupt payments.

2005, June – Mbeki boots Zuma out of his deputy president position after Shaik is convicted and sentenced for corruption related to payments to Zuma.

2005, June – A few days after Zuma was fired, new prosecutions boss, Vusi Pikoli, announced his intention to indict Zuma.

2006, July – Zuma appears before Judge Msimang on two corruption charges which mirror those for which Shaik was convicted and sentenced. The prosecution applies for a postponement to further investigate its case. This is denied and the case is struck from the roll.

2007, December – Mokotedi Mpshe, who has replaced Pikoli (who has been suspended for his role in the indictment of police chief Jackie Selebi), once more indicts Zuma. The indictment runs to 87 pages and includes 18 main counts of racketeering, corruption, money laundering, tax evasion and fraud. Zuma seeks an order setting aside both Mpshe and Pikoli’s decisions to prosecute him.

2007, December – Jacob boots Thabo out of the presidency of the ANC by getting more votes at the party’s Polokwane conference.

2008, September – Judge Chris Nicholson sets aside Mpshe’s decision to indict Zuma. Pikoli’s decision is no longer relevant as it has lapsed. Nicholson ruled, among other things that Zuma was the victim of political interference by his rival, Mbeki. He said a commission of inquiry was needed into the arms deal. Mbeki is removed from office by the ANC and replaced by Kgalema Motlanthe. Mpshe and Mbeki appeal against the judgement

2009, January – Judge Louis Harms delivers the appeal court’s verdict. He launches a scathing attack on Nicholson for allowing his political opinions to interfere with the matter and sets aside his ruling with costs. Prosecutors say the charges against Zuma still stand.

Related posts:

1. Mbeki, Ngcuka, Mlambo-Ngcuka, Pikoli, Shaik, Zuma, Selebi, Agliotti, Kebble, Masetlha explained
2. Constitutional Court new battleground for Mbeki and Zuma
3. Has the media failed Jacob Zuma?
4. Schabir Shaik is forcing a terrible choice on Jacob Zuma
5. The NPA: Damned if they do, damned if they don’t