Publication: The Star Issued: Date: 2006-08-11 Reporter: Moshoeshoe Monare Reporter:

Pikoli Lays Down Challenge to Cosatu to Prove Zuma Conspiracy

 

Publication 

The Star
Date 2006-08-11

Reporter

 Moshoeshoe Monare

Web Link

www.thestar.co.za

 

Labour federation accused of applying double standards and being inconsistent

Prosecutions head Vusi Pikoli - adamant that he will not withdraw the criminal case against Jacob Zuma - has called Cosatu's bluff to prove its conspiracy allegations in court or shut up.

In a letter responding to Cosatu's memorandum demanding that charges against the ANC deputy president be withdrawn, National Director of Public Prosecutions Pikoli said: "I dismiss any suggestions or demand that the charges against Mr Zuma should be withdrawn."

Cosatu last month sent Pikoli a memorandum in which it alleged that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) was a conspirator in a political conspiracy "compromising Zuma from being a future ANC and the South African president".

The labour federation has also demanded that President Thabo Mbeki apologise "to the nation by wrongfully applying his prerogative in releasing Zuma" from his duties, "thereby causing serious problems that the country is facing over (the) Zuma issue".

Cosatu alleges the NPA was under political pressure to charge Zuma, who was fired by Mbeki last winter, after Durban High Court Judge Hilary Squires found that there was a "generally corrupt" relationship with his financial adviser Schabir Shaik.

But Pikoli last week challenged Cosatu to prove its suspicion that the NPA is involved in a political conspiracy against Zuma.

"Therefore, if Cosatu is serious about its allegations of a conspiracy within the (NPA) against Mr Zuma, and if Cosatu has the necessary evidence to substantiate these allegations, I also wish to challenge Cosatu to make use of its constitutional right to dispute any of my decisions relating to Mr Zuma in a court of law.

"If Cosatu is not prepared to accept this challenge, then Cosatu must refrain from making further unsubstantiated allegations," Pikoli said.

"Cosatu's statement and demands clearly speak of ignorance of the law and disrespect for the rule of law, the constitution and the independence of our judiciary," Pikoli said in a strongly worded letter.

He said the NPA had followed the constitutional and legal obligations regulating the prosecution in deciding to prosecute Zuma and raid his premises. Some of the raids have since been overturned by the Durban and Johannesburg high courts.

"Any interested party may approach the High Court with a view to set aside any decision of a member of the NPA or the national director," Pikoli said.

With acknowledgements to Moshoeshoe Monare and Cape Times.