Gerrie Nel targets Zuma insider
TOP gun Gerrie Nel‚ now working as a private prosecutor for a civil rights group‚ is aiming at a close associate of “Number One”.
He and AfriForum said yesterday they would today “make an announcement about the private prosecution of a very prominent person in President Jacob Zuma’s inner circle”. No details were disclosed.
Last month, Nel revealed that‚ based on the leaked e-mails and information obtained from those with knowledge of the accident‚ including lawyers involved at the time‚ he would be pursuing a private prosecution against Zuma’s son, Duduzane.
Three years ago, Duduzane crashed his Porsche into the taxi transporting Phumzile Dube on the M1 in Johannesburg. Dube died but despite recommendations from inquest magistrate Lalitha Chetty that Duduzane be prosecuted‚ the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) declined to do so.
Nel also said earlier this year that he would assist a Johannesburg model who accused Zimbabwe first lady Grace Mugabe of assault.
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite NkoanaMashabane quietly granted Grace diplomatic immunity.
Gabriella Engels and her family are hoping Grace will still face the music.
Nel and AfriForum are helping Engels with a legal application to set aside the diplomatic immunity order. This would allow the NPA to prosecute Grace.
If the NPA refused to prosecute‚ AfriForum’s private prosecuting unit‚ led by Nel‚ could prosecute her.