Thread by @ewnreporter

In the High Court in Joburg today for the challenge President #CyrilRamaphosa has brought to the private proseuction former president #JacobZuma has brought against him. The former president has just arrived at court. BW

Proceedings have kicked off, with advocate Ngwako Maentje SC - for the President - addressing the court. He’s currently addressing Zuma’s argument that Ramaphosa doesn’t have standing to bring the application in his capacity as President, as opposed to his personal capacity.

This argument is linked to Zuma’s argument that the State Attorney doesn’t have the requisite authority to represent Ramaphosa in these proceedings. #ZumaVsRamaphosa

Maentje says as an individual occupying the office of President, when his human rights are threatened or breahced - as he alleges - Ramaphosa has standing to institute proceedings in court to protect his rights.

Even if the court were to look at him as cited only in his official capacity, though, Maentje says the Office of the President has a direct interest in the potential impact of the "unlawful" private prosecution.

He says it would impact confidence in and functioning of the office.

Maentje is now addressing Zuma's arguments on jurisdiction. The former president maintains as a civil court, this court "lacks the jurisdiction to entertain all or at worst some of the issues raised herein".

Zuma says Ramaphosa should instead raise the grievances he does in a special plea challenging his title to prosecute.

Maentje argues though that there's nothing in law to say this is the only route available to him.

He says the question is ultimately about the interests of justice and that "this case is a case where the interests of justice cry out for the court to intervene".

We've resumed after a short tea adjournment. Maentje is now moving onto the merits. He says he won't spend a lot of time on the nolle prosequi certificates.

He says, though, "it is clear on the facts that the summons were not underpinned by valid nolle prosequi certificates which relate to the Preisdent or the charges against the President".

If they did apply to the President, though, he says they weren't rationally connected to the information before the DPP.