Eric Naki and Canaan Mdletshe

Eric Naki and Canaan Mdletshe

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has welcomed the decision by the Constitutional Court to rule against ANC president Jacob Zuma's submission that his dignity had been infringed.

Speaking to journalists outside the court after yesterday's ruling, NPA spokesman, Tlali Tlali, said the highest court in the land had pronounced its decision.

"We are now looking forward to the trial," said Tlali.

He added that the NPA decision to prosecute Zuma was not dependent on the outcome of the Constitutional Court.

The trial would have gone ahead even if the judgment was different, Tlali added.

However, the people of Nkandla, Zuma's home town, yesterday expressed disappointment at the ruling.

Delisiwe Manyoni, chairman of the Msholozi ANC branch in Nkandla said while the "decision meant very little to them" the community was disappointed.

"It does not mean much to us and it won't stop us from supporting Msholozi. It is not going to dampen our spirits. We are disappointed by the decision, but not at all surprised," she said.

Cosatu's KwaZulu-Natal secretary, Zet Luzipho, said they expected the decision.

"They are using the law to influence the judge on Monday and Tuesday when Msholozi appears in Pietermaritzburg," he said.

The of South African Students' Congress (Sasco) said the ruling "was part of an invincible political hand that handles judges in order to achieve political and factional agendas. We remain resolute that Constitutional Court judges have lost integrity and impartiality when dealing with the JZ issue. Therefore, only a permanent stay of prosecution can bring justice to the case," said Sasco president Mawethu Rune. - Sapa