Prosecuting JZ will waste his time

[Albereth]

What happens if he is found guilty? Can a president still run the country from prison?

No - the president has to be a member of parliament, and you can't be a member of parliament if you have, or receive, a jail sentence of a year or more.

 

[Albereth]

other people should presume him innocent. But he knows if he is innocent or not even before he appears in court.

So he is a liar on top of everything else.

Yes, you may claim 'I am innocent'. But you can not proclaim 'I am innocent until proven guilty' because that isn't true, it is a lie.

 

[JungleBoy]

So he is a liar on top of everything else.

Yes, you may claim 'I am innocent'. But you can not proclaim 'I am innocent until proven guilty' because that isn't true, it is a lie.

Of course he could be lying, only he knows the truth. But that will be proven in court.

 

[semiautomatix]

No - the president has to be a member of parliament, and you can't be a member of parliament if you have, or receive, a jail sentence of a year or more.

Yes, but what procedures need to be followed in this event, as he is already an MP. Is it up to Parliament to recall him? Is he automatically dismissed by law?

 

[JungleBoy]

Don't be silly, of course one can.

Besides, the process is about the state proving his guilt. It doesn't make him innocent, but he may be able to prove innocence in the process.

Simple example about being able to prove innocence. You are charged with some crime. In the court you happen to produce a TV footage of you as a spectator at golf tournament in the USA at the time the crime was committed.

Of course you now have to explain to Mrs JungleBoy why you said you had work to do that day and couldn't visit her mother.

In court it doesn't work that way though. The accused does not have the burden of proof, the state does. If they can't do that beyond any reasonable doubt than he is not guilty. Which is not the same as innocent btw.

 

[JungleBoy]

I agree. He cannot become president while he is being proesecuted. But how exactly do they turn that into "drop the charges"? Quite obviously the better solution is to drop him from the running.

I don't agree with 'drop the charges' calls as we the public deserve to know the truth.

 

[Blaze786]

This is what I hate about the ANC, it's their way or no way. They are doing whatever it takes to get Zuma into power, be it braking the laws they are supposed to uphold, if not braking than just rewrinting to suit their end goal. I am tired of living in a country where our presidents, Members of parliment, ministers, etc. either new someone that got them the position, payed someone, blew up something,etc. corruption capital of the world I tell u. End Rant.

 

[TheHiveMind]

I don't agree with 'drop the charges' calls as we the public deserve to know the truth.

I agree. And power/status does not deserve one special privledges, by dropping charges we would be saying it does.

 

[stoke]

August cannot come to soon.

 

[Albereth]

Yes, but what procedures need to be followed in this event, as he is already an MP. Is it up to Parliament to recall him? Is he automatically dismissed by law?

I think a quick perusal of the rules of parliament will reveal this. Sorry - have to go to a meeting so can't look it up for you. Maybe later if I remember, unless you get an answer in the meantime.