‘Getting desperate’: Tweeps react to Zuma’s latest move against Downer

Social media has been awash with reaction to former president Jacob Zuma’s decision to institute private prosecution against Advocate Billy Downer, the state prosecutor in his arms deal case.

The announcement was made by the Jacob Zuma Foundation on Sunday, 10 April 2022, just a day before the trial is scheduled to get underway. Zuma has been trying to get Downer to recuse himself for quite some time. He alleges that the prosecutor leaked his private medical records to the media – and cites other instances, where he claims Downer acted unethically.

YOU CAN ALSO READ: ‘An intimidating and delaying tactic’: NPA on Jacob Zuma’s ‘new trick’

SOUTH AFRICANS WEIGH IN ON ZUMA’S LATEST BID

A number of Twitter users have voiced their thoughts on the latest attempt by former president Jacob Zuma and many of them are echoing the NPA’s sentiments on the matter – that it is just another delaying tactic

“So this man who at one stage resorted to selling his socks to raise money now goes to a much more expensive way to prove his innocence rather than just proceeding with his trial,” wrote one Twitter user.

While businessman Magda Wierzycka said: “If this means anything I assume the legal community will offer their services to Adv Billy Downer on a pro bono basis and ensure he is not distracted while prosecuting Zuma. Legal fees alone can ruin a person. This is probably his last case – so no future conflicts of interest”

Another tweeted: “Getting desperate,” accompanied by a smiley face emoji.

Zuma faces 16 charges of fraud, corruption, racketeering, and money-laundering related to the controversial multi-billion rand arms deal in the late 1990s. The former president is alleged to have received 783 suspicious payments to the tune of R1.2 million from Thales, through his disgraced former financial advisor Shabir Shaik. Zuma has denied the allegations and claims they are politically motivated.