Former South African President Jacob Zuma’s lawsuit against the prosecutor in charge of his corruption case, Billy Downer, and an investigative journalist was dismissed on Wednesday by the High Court in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.
Mr. Zuma’s legal team had filed a complaint against Mr. Downer, accusing him of breaching professional confidentiality by disclosing his confidential medical files to journalist Karyn Maughan.
The High Court also decided to prohibit Mr. Zuma from bringing any other legal action or private prosecution against Downer and Maughan.
In their ruling, Justices Gregory Kruger, Jacqui Henriques, and Thokozile Masipa stated that Mr. Zuma’s prosecution seeks to discredit Downer and prevent him from performing his duties as a prosecutor in the criminal proceedings.
Last May, South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority denounced the “unreasonable” delays in Mr Zuma’s corruption trial.
The former president faces 16 counts of fraud, bribery, and racketeering relating to a €4.2 billion contract to buy fighter jets, patrol boats, and military equipment.