Ex President Jacob Zuma files private prosecution against Ramaphosa

Jacob Zuma, the former president of South Africa, says he has filed a private lawsuit against Cyril Ramaphosa, his successor.

The Jacob Zuma Foundation made the announcement on Thursday night, stating that President Ramaphosa had been charged with “serious crimes” in a Johannesburg court.

“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 in a statement.

It added that the crimes carry a sentence of 15 years imprisonment.

In a response on Twitter on Friday, President Ramaphosa accused Mr Zuma of “abuse of legal processes”.

He termed the charges “completely spurious and unfounded”.

In a response on Twitter on Friday, President Ramaphosa accused Mr Zuma of “abuse of legal processes”.

He termed the charges “completely spurious and unfounded”.