Affidavit contains no evidence I plotted Zuma's downfall: Mbeki

Former President Thabo Mbeki has released a public response to an affidavit by Advocate Willie Hofmeyr claiming he allowed people to use the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to fight his factional battles with president Jacob Zuma.

Earlier this month Mbeki said he would respond to the affidavit after taking his time to study it. He has now done so and released a statement on Facebook.

"After careful study of the affidavit, I have come to the firm conclusion that it contains ABSOLUTELY no evidence to back the claim that either the alleged role players or I sought to interfere or interfered in the work of the NPA," Mbeki posted.

"Those who have followed this matter will recall that essentially the same allegations were canvassed before Judge Chris Nicholson in the Pietermaritzburg High Court in 2008. Though Judge Nicholson was persuaded by the allegations, the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) unanimously dismissed his judgment and said, amongst other things, that it was "incomprehensible," Mbeki said.

The National Prosecuting Authority had alleged the use of private British spies and Mbeki's direct involvement in the planned downfall of Zuma‚ in an affidavit filed by Advocate William Hofmeyr‚ deputy national director of Public Prosecutions for the NPA and head of the Asset Forfeiture Unit.

"(Acting NPA head Mokotedi) Mpshe was shocked at the cavalier tone and light-hearted manner in which (Leonard) McCarthy and (Bulelani) Ngcuka appeared to regard the NPA as merely a political tool to be placed at the disposal of the Mbeki administration," Hoffmeyr claimed.

"As far as I was concerned, (Ronnie) Kasrils was a confidant with whom McCarthy could discuss strategy about the Zuma prosecution. I believe he also served as an intermediary between McCarthy and Mbeki," Hoffmeyr said.

The affidavit was in response to the DA's court bid to have former director of Public Prosecutions‚ Mokotedi Mpshe's decision to overturn the prosecution of Zuma‚ declared null and void. In 2009‚ after the now infamous Zuma spy tapes emerged‚ Mpshe declined to prosecute the president‚ citing that he was doing so because of political interference.