Publication: Cape Times Issued: Date: 2005-12-09 Reporter: Moshoeshoe Monare Reporter: Angela Quintal Reporter:

Action of Scorpions Against Zuma to be Probed Again by Public Protector

 

Publication 

Cape Times
Date 2005-12-09

Reporter

Moshoeshoe Monare,
Angela Quintal

Web Link

www.capetimes.co.za

 

Public Protector Lawrence Mushwana will once again investigate the conduct of the Scorpions over allegations of seeking to destroy Jacob Zuma.

This time the investigation has been called by National Prosecuting Authority head, Vusi Pikoli, whose predecessor, Bulelani Ngcuka, had a fraught relationship with Mushwana, but whom Zuma trusts.

The latest investigation follows the alleged leaking of an affidavit to the media claiming that Zuma and his former financial adviser once shared a prostitute called Robin at R30 000 a month at Nkobi Holdings' expense.

The affidavit, which first appeared in the Africa Confidential publication months ago, as well as a weekly newspaper, resurfaced in Rapport and City Press at the weekend and was followed up by some daily newspapers this week.

It comes at a time when Zuma is under the spotlight for alleged rape, a charge he has denied.

Yesterday, Zuma accused the Scorpions of "continuing to use the media to bring me down, and the media continues to slander me by printing unchecked facts that were manufactured".

"I am outraged at the consistent unethical journalistic practice in this country. Some newspapers have made it their national sport to attack me, notwithstanding the truth."

Zuma accused the newspapers of quoting untested verbal evidence where a woman was supposed to "have been paid to service Jacob Zuma".

The Sunday newspaper had a copy of a "transcribed version of testimony" that was in possession of the Scorpions, Zuma said.

"The NPA did not enter the transcribed copy of the verbal testimony that they had gathered from Sabeeh Sheik-Ibrahim into evidence at the Schabir Shaik trial, yet it was found important enough to share with the media only two days before I was charged with rape," said Zuma.

"Sheik-Ibrahim is a dismissed former managing director of Kobitech Transport that was part of Schabir Shaik's Nkobi Holdings.

"Even though I have never met this lady that I had reportedly been entertained by for payment, the newspaper still did not think it was relevant to contact me for comment," Zuma said. "The transcript was either released to the media by the Scorpions, alternatively, it was obtained unlawfully - both of which are equally distasteful and unethical."

NPA boss Vusi Pikoli was quick to act yesterday. He immediately announced that he had asked Mushwana to probe the allegations made by Zuma.

In an investigation of a previous complaint by Zuma against Ngcuka, Mushwana found that Ngcuka had violated Zuma's constitutional right to dignity when he made the infamous statement in August 2003, that there was a prima facie case of corruption against the then deputy president, but that it was not a winnable case.

The NPA said yesterday, Pikoli was "very disturbed by the media release and he views the accusations contained in it in a very serious light".

"Leaking of damaging accusations against any individual - and leading any campaign aimed at discrediting any individual - flies in the face of our laws, the Constitution and advocate Pikoli's vision for the NPA," his spokesman, Makhosini Nkosi, said.

The NPA would co-operate fully with Mushwana in the investigation.

"Furthermore, advocate Pikoli has assured the Public Protector that his office will receive the full co-operation of the NPA in ... its investigation.

"The Public Protector was also assured that the NPA would deal severely with any of its officials who may have acted inappropriately as alleged by Mr Zuma."

 With acknowledgements to Moshoeshoe Monare, Angela Quintal and the Cape Times.