Billy Downer
Encyclopedia
Advocate William John "Billy" Downer, SC
(born 20 November 1956 in Pretoria
), is a deputy director of public prosecutions with the South African National Prosecuting Authority
.
Billy Downer graduated in law at Stellenbosch University
in 1979, and was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship
to study at Brasenose College, University of Oxford
, where he obtained the BCL
degree. He joined the South African Department of Justice
(the forerunner of the National Prosecuting Authority
) in October 1982. Since then he has had considerable experience in prosecuting corruption
. One of his most well publicised cases was the State vs Shaik trial
. His detailed investigations, which led to the discovery of a handwritten encrypted fax in French promising an amount of R500,000 per annum to 'JZ
' until the first payment of ADS dividends, were key in securing the conviction of Schabir Shaik
on two counts of corruption and one count of fraud
.
Senior Counsel
The title of Senior Counsel or State Counsel is given to a senior barrister or advocate in some countries, typically equivalent to the title "Queen's Counsel" used in Commonwealth Realms...
(born 20 November 1956 in Pretoria
Pretoria
Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. It is one of the country's three capital cities, serving as the executive and de facto national capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Bloemfontein, the judicial capital.Pretoria is...
), is a deputy director of public prosecutions with the South African National Prosecuting Authority
National Prosecuting Authority
The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa , created a single National Prosecution Authority , which is governed by the National Prosecuting Authority Act...
.
Billy Downer graduated in law at Stellenbosch University
Stellenbosch University
Stellenbosch University is a public research university situated in the town of Stellenbosch, South Africa. Other nearby universities are the University of Cape Town and University of the Western Cape....
in 1979, and was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship
Rhodes Scholarship
The Rhodes Scholarship, named after Cecil Rhodes, is an international postgraduate award for study at the University of Oxford. It was the first large-scale programme of international scholarships, and is widely considered the "world's most prestigious scholarship" by many public sources such as...
to study at Brasenose College, University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
, where he obtained the BCL
Bachelor of Civil Law
Bachelor of Civil Law is the name of various degrees in law conferred by English-language universities. Historically, it originated as a postgraduate degree in the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, but many universities now offer the BCL as an undergraduate degree...
degree. He joined the South African Department of Justice
Department of Justice
The names Department of Justice and Justice Department may refer to:*Department of Justice *Department of Justice *Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform *Department of Justice...
(the forerunner of the National Prosecuting Authority
National Prosecuting Authority
The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa , created a single National Prosecution Authority , which is governed by the National Prosecuting Authority Act...
) in October 1982. Since then he has had considerable experience in prosecuting corruption
Political corruption
Political corruption is the use of legislated powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain. Misuse of government power for other purposes, such as repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is not considered political corruption. Neither are illegal acts by...
. One of his most well publicised cases was the State vs Shaik trial
Schabir Shaik trial
The Schabir Shaik trial was one of the most important court trials in post-apartheid South Africa. The case, tried in Durban High Court before Judge Hilary Squires, proved the fraudulent and corrupt relationship between Durban-based businessman Schabir Shaik and South African politician and...
. His detailed investigations, which led to the discovery of a handwritten encrypted fax in French promising an amount of R500,000 per annum to 'JZ
Jacob Zuma
Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma is the President of South Africa, elected by parliament following his party's victory in the 2009 general election....
' until the first payment of ADS dividends, were key in securing the conviction of Schabir Shaik
Schabir Shaik
Schabir Shaik is a South African businessman from the Berea, Durban, who rose to prominence due to his close association with South African President Jacob Zuma during his time as Deputy President...
on two counts of corruption and one count of fraud
Fraud
In criminal law, a fraud is an intentional deception made for personal gain or to damage another individual; the related adjective is fraudulent. The specific legal definition varies by legal jurisdiction. Fraud is a crime, and also a civil law violation...
.
External links
- Lessons from the fight against corruption, UCT Monday Paper, 19 October 2007
- How we nailed Shaik, The StarThe Star (South Africa)The Star is a daily newspaper based in Gauteng, South Africa. It has a readership of 840 000 and is owned by Independent News & Media. It gained worldwide attention in 2006 when it published survey results according to which about twenty percent of South African men have raped a woman in...
, 9 June 2005.