Publication: The Star Issued: Date: 2005-12-01 Reporter: Shaun Smillie Reporter: Reporter:

Only a Handful of JZ Faithful Pitch Up to Offer Their Support

 

Publication 

The Star
Date 2005-12-01

Reporter

 Shaun Smillie

Web Link

www.thestar.co.za

 

For a short while there was a rumour that Jacob Zuma was to make an appearance at the Booysens Hotel, a watering hole in Johannesburg's southern suburbs.

It was only logical - his "friends" were gathered there last night.

The Friends of Jacob Zuma, an organisation dedicated to defending the reputation of the former deputy president in his corruption trial, met to discuss ways in which they legally *1 could raise funds for "their man".

The committee wanted to dispel the perception that Zuma had supporters only in his home province of KwaZulu Natal. Sadly, the hordes of Gauteng supporters didn't deliver, as only a handful made the trip to the south.

In fact there were as many journalists as supporters.

"We are a support group for Comrade JZ, not a political one," explained chairperson George Nene.

The Friends might not call themselves a political organisation, but the rhetoric and knives were out when the organisation's spokesperson, Kaizer Mohau, laid into Zuma's enemies - the "media-loving Scorpions"; Judge Hilary Squires, who convicted Zuma's friend Schabir Shaik; and even the United States, with its "self-serving foreign policy".

"How Comrade JZ has been treated is most unfortunate. It must never happen again to any other South African," said Mohau.

But as journalists tried to ask more-political questions, they were told that the press conference would be terminated if they persisted.

So it was back to the organisation's fundraising events and their relationship with JZ.

"We are planning to organise gala dinners throughout the province. But we also need to include the working class, so we are going to have music shows and a jazz festival in Soweto," said Nene.

"We are going to make sure that he gets the best legal representation."

So what about Comrade JZ?

How is he doing? a journalist asked.

"Comrade JZ communicates through the national structure, which then communicates to the provinces," Nene replied.

With the press conference over, the media were abruptly asked to leave. The public meeting had confidential issues to discuss.

With acknowledgements to Shaun Smillie and The Star.

 
*1  Glad to see there's an emphasis on the legal.