Veteran journalist Karyn Maughan and State prosecutor Billy Downer have won their case against former president Jacob Zuma, who tried privately prosecuting the duo after filing criminal charges against them in 2021.
JUDGMENT in the case brought by former president Jacob Zuma against veteran journalist Karyn Maughan and State prosecutor advocate Billy Downer SC was handed down on Wednesday.
In the judgment delivered in the Pietermaritzburg High Court in KwaZulu-Natal, it was decided by the court that a private prosecution cannot be taken against Maughan and Downer.
This comes after Zuma, led by his counsel, advocate Dali Mpofu SC, tried taking action against Downer and Maughan after he opened a criminal case in 2021, alleging that Downer, the State’s lead prosecutor in the marathon corruption trial against the former president, had unlawfully leaked his medical records, including a doctor’s note, to Maughan.
Zuma insists that the actions of Downer and Maughan were in contravention of the National Prosecuting Authority Act, but the NPA declined to prosecute.
In the judgment handed down by the court, the court interdicted and restrained Zuma from proceeding with or from taking any further steps to privately prosecute Maughan and Downer.
Zuma has also been ordered to cover all costs incurred.
“The costs of this application are to be paid by the respondent on an attorney and own client scale, such costs to include the costs of two counsel where so employed,” the judgment reads.
Maughan could not contain her happiness at the judgment and, on Twitter, shared the news with all her followers.
“BREAKING: WE WON
With costs!!! [sic]”
With nearly 30,000 views and over 300 retweets, tweeps rejoiced at the win in court.
Tweeps also commended the judiciary; @sheroda wrote: “Thank God we still have upstanding and reputable judges, for the most part. Well done [sic]”.
