Anna Majavu
Anna Majavu
ANC president Jacob Zuma's lawyers have hit back at Scorpions' senior special investigator Johan du Plooy by submitting a counter motion in the Pietermaritzburg high court.
They have asked the court to strike out what they say is "scandalous, vexatious and irrelevant matter" from Du Plooy's affidavit.
Two weeks ago Du Plooy submitted his own motion, asking that Zuma's repeated statements that he is the "victim of improper political motives" be struck out because they brought the National Prosecuting Authority into disrepute.
Du Plooy said there was a "growing perception that appears to be taking root that the applicant cannot have a fair trial because he is a victim of a political conspiracy".
But the counter motion, filed by Zuma's lawyer Michael Hulley, says much of Du Plooy's affidavit ought to be struck out.
Zuma says, in his affidavit, that he has a right to continue asserting that he is victim of improper political motives.
"The state might not like such criticism but it is one that I have a right to assert," he says.
Zuma says since the state has always been aware of his allegations it "cannot now contend that they are scandalous, vexatious, irrelevant and bring the administration of justice into disrepute".
Zuma has also asked the court to strike out references to the 2007 charges against him of contravening the Income Tax Act.
Zuma settled his taxes with the revenue services earlier this year without any admission of criminal conduct.
The upshot is that Zuma's August 4 corruption trial might be delayed further.
Zuma takes a swipe at Scorpions investigator
Anna Majavu
Anna Majavu
ANC president Jacob Zuma's lawyers have hit back at Scorpions' senior special investigator Johan du Plooy by submitting a counter motion in the Pietermaritzburg high court.
They have asked the court to strike out what they say is "scandalous, vexatious and irrelevant matter" from Du Plooy's affidavit.
Two weeks ago Du Plooy submitted his own motion, asking that Zuma's repeated statements that he is the "victim of improper political motives" be struck out because they brought the National Prosecuting Authority into disrepute.
Du Plooy said there was a "growing perception that appears to be taking root that the applicant cannot have a fair trial because he is a victim of a political conspiracy".
But the counter motion, filed by Zuma's lawyer Michael Hulley, says much of Du Plooy's affidavit ought to be struck out.
Zuma says, in his affidavit, that he has a right to continue asserting that he is victim of improper political motives.
"The state might not like such criticism but it is one that I have a right to assert," he says.
Zuma says since the state has always been aware of his allegations it "cannot now contend that they are scandalous, vexatious, irrelevant and bring the administration of justice into disrepute".
Zuma has also asked the court to strike out references to the 2007 charges against him of contravening the Income Tax Act.
Zuma settled his taxes with the revenue services earlier this year without any admission of criminal conduct.
The upshot is that Zuma's August 4 corruption trial might be delayed further.
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