Helen Zille arrested?

[Dave A]

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has withdrawn all charges against Mayor Helen Zille, a People's Anti-Drug and Liquor Action Committee (Padlac) leader, Amien Maker, and 11 others who were arrested last month after taking part in an anti-drug march in Mitchells Plain.

Maker was arrested for stopping at alleged drug outlets during last month's march, while Zille and the 11 other marchers were arrested for taking part in an illegal gathering outside the Mitchells Plain police station after Maker was arrested.

Western Cape DPP Rodney de Kock said in a statement on Tuesday that he had declined to prosecute "because there are no reasonable prospects of successful prosecutions".
full story from IOL here

So I guess this opens the door for wrongful arrest issues.

[duncan drennan]

So I guess this opens the door for wrongful arrest issues.

That would just seem like a waste of productive energy.

[Dave A]

Well - it looks like she is going to be "wasting" it anyway.

Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Helen Zille plans to sue the state for R300 000 following her arrest at an anti-drugs march earlier this year, she said on Friday.

"I intend to sue the police on three counts: unlawful arrest, unlawful detention and malicious prosecution. The amount involved on each count is R100 000," said Zille in a statement.

She intends donating any damages that might be awarded to her to drug rehabilitation work in the Mitchells Plain area.
full story from M&G here

[duncan drennan]

Having heard her talk about the latest spy scandal and her frustration at the police being used to investigate whistle blowers and such likes, it may actually make some sense in the DA's greater political strategy.

I'm still not too sure how much it achieves (i.e. actually changes) though.

[Dave A]

Well, if these things actually ever get to court (ie there isn't an out-of-court settlement), there will be the calling of witnesses who will have to give testimony under oath. And the opportunity exists for cross-examination. All sorts of funny things can fall under the limelight.

Then if it is settled out of court, there are those pesky questions in parliament..