A video of President Cyril Ramaphosa and former president Jacob Zuma laughing together has got tongues wagging online.
The now-viral video was taken at the ANC national elective conference in Nasrec, Johannesburg, and comes after Zuma’s decision to privately prosecute Ramaphosa.
In the video the pair were seen in a joyful mood and shaking hands, with no sign of tension despite the legal and political issues between them.
Watch video below:
#ANC55 Watch ANC president, Cyril Ramaphosa and his predecessor, Jacob Zuma meeting after the start of the 1st day of the conference where a delegation from KZN sang pro-Zuma songs during Ramaphosa’s political report pic.twitter.com/snvzdx2IeI
— Thando Maeko (@HelloThando) December 16, 2022
Less than a day before the conference, the Jacob Zuma Foundation said it had instituted a private prosecution of Ramaphosa.
He has been summoned to appear in court on January 19 to face a charge of being an “accessory after the fact” in the same private prosecution Zuma is pursuing against prosecutor Billy Downer and journalist Karyn Maughan for disclosing a document concerning Zuma’s medical state.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa has been charged in a private prosecution with the criminal offence of being accessory after the fact in the crimes committed by, among others, advocate Downer — namely, breaching the provisions of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Act,” the foundation said.
“The serious crimes for which Mr Ramaphosa has been charged with in a court of law carry the sentence of 15 years' imprisonment.”
Ramaphosa has rejected the prosecution “with the utmost contempt”.
In a statement, the presidency said a nolle prosequi certificate, or a certificate of non-prosecution by the NPA, was a prerequisite for a valid private prosecution.
“Mr Zuma has not provided such a certificate with charges in the name of President Ramaphosa,” said the presidency.
Ramaphosa gave Zuma until Monday to withdraw the “abusive” private prosecution against him.
Scores online weighed in on the viral video, with some saying there was no “beef” between the two ANC veterans. Here is snapshot of some of the reactions:
Politicians can pretend yhoooooo
— Bhungane (@LithaMak) December 16, 2022
They don't just fight but hate each other. They are like the friends who secretly hate while they laugh with you daily
— EXHIBIT (@trailerpointsa) December 16, 2022
Guys what do you want ramaphosa to do in this situation when he has bumped into Jacob Zuma,do you want him to ignore him just like that.This is not how the leader of a party as big as ANC could behave,this small chat is pretence but it is very useful to Rama than to zuma.
— lucky mlondzo (@luckymlondzo) December 16, 2022
Ramaphosa is smart disciplined...and very humble🤗
— Faith (@iamFaith32311) December 16, 2022
I am not cut out for this type of pretence,If i was Ramaphosa I would not be jolly with Judas who wants to slaughter me for his fun,It's like Jesus meeting Judas, I am not coming for crap like that!,We either respect each other or we don't, laughs for cameras is nonsense
— ELVIS Malakoane (@Malakoaneelvis) December 16, 2022
CR holds no grudges 👌
— Not Martin Luther King jnr (@moliseseoe) December 16, 2022
He has no intentions to belittle any leader of the ANC, even after private prosecution attempts, he remains unshaken.
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