Publication: The Star Issued: Date: 2006-02-09 Reporter: Karyn Maughan Reporter: Reporter:

Call To Probe Car Death Of Zuma Ally

 

Publication 

The Star
Date 2006-02-09

Reporter

 Karyn Maughan

Web Link

www.thestar.co.za

 

Former deputy president Jacob Zuma's friends and family have urged police to investigate what they describe as the "strange and mysterious" death of the Gauteng chairperson of the Friends of Jacob Zuma Trust Fund.

But police have told The Star they could not confirm or deny that George Nene, a former South African ambassador to the United Nations, had been involved in a fatal vehicle accident on Saturday night - or that any investigation of Nene's death was taking place.

While hesitant to directly suggest who might be behind 59-year-old father-of-four Nene's death, Friends of Jacob Zuma Trust Fund media head Kaizer Mohau yesterday told the media it was "very coincidental" that Nene had died in an accident days after Zuma had "mentioned him by name at an event on the East Rand". Nene had "also worked very hard to mobilise support" for Zuma.

Three members of Zuma's clan - Silas, Margaret and Reverend Albert Zuma - also expressed sadness over Nene's death, before telling journalists at a trust-fund press conference that they were convinced Zuma was innocent of the rape and corruption charges against him.

"As a family, we don't believe any of these charges. (Zuma) has told us that he is innocent of these charges and we believe him," said Silas Zuma.

He added that the Zuma family were "actually very surprised" about the positive attitude Zuma had adopted in light of his circumstances.

Speaking about Nene, he said the Zuma family had worked very closely with the former ambassador and was "very sorry" about his untimely death.

Mohau later said Nene had died while driving his Mercedes-Benz between De Beer and Walkerville on his way to visit friends.

According to Mohau, the state of Nene's car showed that the accident had been "very, very bad", but he was unable to confirm whether another car might have been involved.

He added that he was probably the first person to hear that Nene had been killed.

"The accident happened somewhere between 7 and 8 o'clock … (sic) When I got the call, I was incredibly shocked," said Mohau.

A trust-fund press release, read out yesterday at the Booysens Hotel in Johannesburg, stated: "We have among us some who correctly or otherwise have the perception that there might be some unexplained angles in terms of how this accident happened.

"We therefore believe that (the proposed) investigation will unveil anything underneath these perceptions."

In addition to providing details of a planned 5 000-demonstrator picket to support Zuma during his rape trial at the Johannesburg High Court, Mohau said he had called a press conference to dispel claims that Zuma's support base was waning.

"Support for Zuma is growing, not dwindling," said Mohau.

He added that the ANC Youth League was planning rolling mass action against the SABC for what he suggested was the broadcaster's lack of objectivity in the reporting of Zuma's legal woes.

Zuma (63) will appear on Monday in the Johannesburg High Court, where a total of 23 witnesses will testify about the rape allegations against him.

The complainant, a 31-year-old HIV/Aids activist, has alleged that Zuma raped her after she had been invited to sleep over at his Forest Town mansion.

Zuma was granted bail of R20 000 in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court in December.

With acknowledgements to Karyn Maughan and The Star.