A cloud of suspicion will dog ANC president Jacob Zuma until he is given the chance to defend himself against the criminal charges brought against him, Helen Zille, leader of the Democratic Alliance leader said.

She said the National Prosecuting Authority would be failing in its duty should it drop charges against Zuma.

Zille was speaking at the NPA's headquarters in Pretoria, where she had gone to hand over her party's reasons as to why the NPA should continue to prosecute Zuma.

"If the NPA fails to pursue its case against Zuma, it will fail to execute its prosecutorial duty and it will fail the criminal justice system," she said.

The DA submitted that charges against Zuma should not be dropped because the NPA had collected enough evidence, including 13 documents from Mauritius, with the aim of prosecuting him.

"If the charges against Zuma are dropped, this will weaken the public faith in the institution of justice... resulting negatively on the rule of law and the fight against crime in South Africa."

Zuma would not benefit from the charges being dropped because he would not get the opportunity to clear his name, Zille said.

The NPA was expected to announce by the end of the month whether it would proceed with plans to charge Zuma on counts of fraud, corruption, money-laundering and racketeering linked to the arms deal.

Zille, who arrived at the NPA's headquarters dressed in a red shirt and black trousers was all smiles, waving an acknowledgement of receipt as she emerged from the NPA's offices saying her representation was "politely received".

She told journalists that it had been speculated that Zuma's representations to the NPA were modelled on what his legal team referred to as the "Samson Option" - meaning if Zuma is to be "brought down" others must go down with him, notably former president Thabo Mbeki and other senior colleagues by linking them to the arms deal or political interference with Zuma's prosecution.

"If this is indeed the basis of Zuma's representations, then the DA believes this aggravates the case against him...he is asking for a cover up because the evidence in open court could bring down the government."

She said the prospect that the NPA could be complicit in such a cover up would mean the end to the rule of law.

"The DA will opt for private prosecution should that happened," she said.

The DA maintained that if Zuma was let off the hook, it would create a precedent that individuals in position of power were above the law and could "bully" their way out of trouble.

Zille said the public had the right to know what made the NPA withdraw charges against Zuma, should this happen.

"If such explanation is not forthcoming, the public will conclude that the NPA and Zuma entered into a mutually beneficial deal in exchange for the charges being withdrawn," she said.

Zille pointed out that DA was expecting a response from the NPA "soon", before the elections.

"I flew from Cape Town because I was told today (Thursday) is the deadline for submissions."

Sapa

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