Publication: Sunday Times Issued: Date: 2005-12-04 Reporter: Paddy Harper Reporter:

Mbeki Heads Out Into Zuma Territory

 

Publication 

Sunday Times

Date

2005-12-04

Reporter

 Paddy Harper

Web Link

www.sundaytimes.co.za

 

President Thabo Mbeki will address his first public gathering in KwaZulu-Natal since his dismissal of Jacob Zuma from his Cabinet.

The meeting, an imbizo at KwaDukuza (formerly Stanger), will be a critical test of public sentiment in the province.

Since Zuma’s dismissal, anti-Mbeki feelings have been running high, with T-shirts emblazoned with the President’s image being burned at Zuma’s court appearances.

Mbeki’s allies, in particular ANC provincial chairman S’bu Ndebele, have been heckled, pelted and booed. Songs insulting both men were sung outside court and at rallies.

Presidential communications director Murphy Morobe confirmed that Mbeki would visit the Illembe District Municipality within which Kwa-Dukuza falls, for a municipal imbizo on Saturday. He said there were no special security measures planned for the visit, which was part of normal government business.

Meanwhile, Zuma yesterday maintained his silence on the rape allegations against him, urging his supporters to “uphold and defend” the democracy achieved as a result of the liberation struggle.

Zuma slammed the media for their “interpretation” of his comments since he was fired by Mbeki in June after Judge Hillary Squires found that he had conducted a “generally corrupt relationship” with his disgraced financial adviser, Schabir Shaik.

Zuma made the comments at a reburial ceremony for executed Umkhonto weSizwe cadres Andrew Zondo and Lucky Payi at the KwaMashu stadium yesterday.

It was his first public speech since the rape allegations surfaced in the week of his corruption appearance on November 12.

Zuma has not spoken out on the matter, with all commentary coming from his lawyer, Michael Hulley, and his team.

The 31-year-old Aids activist who he is alleged to have raped at his Johannesburg residence last month comes from KwaMashu, Durban.

Zuma’s backers said yesterday that if and when he is charged, he will ask the ANC leadership to “accept his request to withdraw from formal ANC structures and office”.

The National Prosecuting Authority is tight-lipped about when Zuma could be formally charged.

With acknowledgements to Paddy Harper and Sunday Times.