Eric Naki

Eric Naki

The independence of the judiciary has come under scrutiny after the judgment of the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) against ANC deputy president Jacob Zuma was allegedly leaked to the media before it was pronounced in court yesterday.

Political organisations linked to the Jacob Zuma camp have alleged that yesterday's court judgment against Zuma was leaked.

The SACP has asked the supreme court to explain how the judgment against Zuma was leaked to the media before it was pronounced in court yesterday.

Cosatu, SACP, ANC Youth League and the Young Communist League (YCL) yesterday issued statements in which they condemned the leaking of the judgment in which the SCA upheld a National Prosecuting Authority appeal against a Durban high court order, setting aside a total of five search warrants against Zuma and his lawyer, Michael Hulley.

Cosatu spokesman Patrick Craven said: "Some Cosatu officials received phone calls from journalists saying what the ruling was. This reinforces Cosatu's long-held belief that the process has had all the hallmarks of a political conspiracy against Zuma," Craven said.

SACP spokesman Malesela Maleka said: "As we have said before, this indeed does cast doubt on the credibility and the independence of the institutions of our criminal justice system. We call on the supreme court to explain how this [the leak] happened."

The YCL said: "This further raises serious political concerns whether the [ANC deputy president] will ever get a fair and just trial."

Justice Department spokesman Zolile Nqayi said that they heard the report about the leak over the radio yesterday, but declined to comment further.

NPA spokesman Tlali Tlali said he was unaware of the alleged leak.