Former president Jacob Zuma had developed and demonstrated an “extraordinary animosity” towards journalist Karyn Maughan as a consequence of her reporting on his legal matters over 20 years, her advocate Steven Budlender argued on Monday.
Budlender said Zuma’s hostility towards Maughan was evident from his affidavit in which he accused her of colluding and conspiring and being in partnership with state prosecutors to perpetuate a false narrative about him.He labelled her a “racist bigot” because she was employing the same “Stalingrad” strategy she accused him of.
He said Maughan had not received the document from Downer but from advocate Andrew Breitenbach, a member of Downer’s team. But what we do say, where a former president seeks to use a private prosecution to silence a journalist, that is an extraordinarily serious matter.” This was also evidenced by the witness list which included political figures, such as President Cyril Ramaphosa, and “historical” witnesses — again none of whom had anything to do with the alleged document “leak”.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Jacob Zuma vs Downer and Maughan back in court | News24Two court applications relating to former president Jacob Zuma's private prosecution of prosecutor, advocate Billy Downer, and News24 legal journalist Karyn Maughan are expected to be heard in the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Pietermaritzburg this week.
Read more »
LIVE | Zuma's private prosecution of Maughan, Downer back in court | News24Two court applications relating to former president Jacob Zuma's private prosecution of prosecutor, advocate Billy Downer, and News24 legal journalist Karyn Maughan are expected to be heard in the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Pietermaritzburg this week. Follow it live on News24.
Read more »
LIVE | 'Private prosecution of Downer, Maughan an abuse of process' court hears | News24Two court applications relating to former president Jacob Zuma's private prosecution of prosecutor, advocate Billy Downer, and News24 legal journalist Karyn Maughan are expected to be heard in the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Pietermaritzburg this week. Follow it live on News24.
Read more »
LIVE | Zuma tried to manufacture evidence and mislead the court, Budlender Jr tells judges | News24Two court applications relating to former president Jacob Zuma's private prosecution of prosecutor, advocate Billy Downer, and News24 legal journalist Karyn Maughan are expected to be heard in the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Pietermaritzburg this week. Follow it live on News24.
Read more »
Former senior buyer at Eskom held on R14m fraud chargeA former senior buyer at Eskom accused of defrauding the entity of more than R14m will remain behind bars after her arrest and court appearance on Friday.
Read more »
Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan to appear in court, fearing arrest | News24Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan was set to appear in court on Saturday as police were entering his home and after he expressed fear of arrest in a standoff with the government that has led to intense clashes with his
Read more »