Zuma says His Axing Set Africa an Example [Sunday Times, 2005-10-30]

But he also takes a swipe at top officials with ‘agendas’

Former Deputy President Jacob Zuma says the maturity of South Africa’s fledgling democracy has been demonstrated by how it handled his sacking and impending corruption trial.

Zuma told traditional leaders in Tzaneen, Limpopo, on Friday evening that South Africa would again provide lessons to the world and especially Africa on how to deal with such issues.

“Leaders and political parties on the continent have not been able to deal with [such] crises. We have a democracy that has passed the test.

“I was investigated and the government and the ruling party did not intervene. On the continent, no ruling party can allow its deputy president to be investigated; even the deputy president himself could have said no.

“This says something about the maturity of our democracy. The opposite could have happened in other countries. We should be proud,” said Zuma.

This is the first time the former number two has spoken out about the impact of his axing from President Thabo Mbeki’s Cabinet in June after Judge Hilary Squires ruled that there was a corrupt relationship between Zuma and his former financial adviser, Schabir Shaik.

Zuma said the maturity of South Africa’s democracy was also highlighted by how ordinary South Africans received his axing and impending corruption trial.

“Somewhere else in Africa, people would have been intimidated by such a move but ordinary South Africans stood up to speak their minds,” he said.

Independent organs of state had played a pivotal role in enhancing democracy, but a major concern was how the heads of such institutions conducted themselves *1. Zuma said South Africans should ask themselves whether the ANC had deployed the right people to head these institutions.

“Is the problem the organs of state or the individuals? We must ask that question so that in future we don’t deploy the wrong people to undermine them,” he said.

Zuma reiterated that the corruption case against him was just part of a bigger issue. He praised the ANC Youth League for its uncompromising stance on his treatment.

“Once again our youth has emerged and there is nothing new about this,” he said.

Zuma said the league had asked him if he had done any wrong before taking its hardline stand.

Zuma fired another broadside at the media for finding him guilty even before he was charged.

He said the media had overstepped the bounds of a free press and had allowed themselves to be manipulated by individuals within organs of state.

“Is the media in the business of informing the public or serving agendas of certain individuals? These are the questions we need answered if we are to strengthen our democracy,” he said.

Yesterday, ANC Youth League president Fikile Mbalula lashed out at what he called inconsistencies in the way the government applied the rule of law.

He was speaking at the 61st anniversary celebrations of the league, also in Tzaneen.

Mbalula said former National Director of Public Prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka was not suspended when he said Zuma was guilty of corruption but would not be prosecuted *2.

But, he said, National Intelligence Agency Director-General Billy Masetlha and two of his deputies were recently suspended for conducting surveillance on ANC politician turned businessman Saki Macozoma.

“We must guard against the abuse of state resources and organs of state in the name of law and order and the rule of law,” said Mbalula.

Referring to those calling for Zuma’s head, Mbalula said: “We must defend JZ [Zuma] from anarchy and cannibals.” *3

Publication	Sunday Times
Date	2005-10-30
Reporter	Xolani Xundu
Web Link	www.sundaytimes.co.za