Publication: The Mercury Issued: Date: 2006-01-24 Reporter: Tania Broughton Reporter: Reporter:

Different Venue for Zuma Corruption Case?

 

Publication 

The Mercury
Date

2006-01-24

Reporter

Tania Broughton

Web Link

www.themercury.co.za

 

The corruption trial of sacked deputy president Jacob Zuma could move to the Pietermaritzburg High Court, KwaZulu-Natal judge president Vuka Tshabalala said on Monday.

"I am thinking about it. The Pietermaritzburg court is a better court than Durban. The courtrooms are larger, and there are renovations being done in Durban which could make it awkward," he said.

Moving the trial could add to the spiralling costs of Zuma's defence, which includes a high-powered and high-charging team of five senior advocates.

The friends of Jacob Zuma Trust intends stepping up its fundraising efforts by appointing "contributions managers" to hard sell the Jacob Zuma brand through a music festival, gala dinners and the sale of branded caps and shirts.

The fund, headed by Durban businessman Don Mkhwanazi, was established to raise money for Zuma's legal fees after he was charged with two counts of corruption last year. At that time it was estimated that R12-million would be needed.

But sources have indicated that figure is "considerably short", and several million rands more will be needed to fund the trial. Moving the trial from the Durban High Court to the Pietermaritzburg High Court will mean that transport and accommodation costs will have to be factored into the bill.

The administrator of the trust, Durban lawyer Barnabas Xulu, on Monday declined to disclose how much money had been raised through contributions so far. This might be revealed by the trustees next month after the trust makes its declarations to the South African Revenue Service.

Xulu said the SARS had given the trust "business status" last year, which meant that all expenses incurred on fundraising were tax deductible. It also meant that in some instances, people who made contributions could also claim them back from tax. Xulu said this week that the trustees would consider a "master marketing plan".

"The main proposal - which I am confident will be accepted - will be the appointment of contributions managers throughout the country who will be tasked with marketing the merchandise and branding, organising gala dinners and a major music concert," he said.

"The trust has also devised a way of better communicating with the media and the public."

Xulu said that at this stage he was still waiting for word from the lawyers as to exactly how much money was needed. The rape charge subsequently laid against Zuma had not slowed down contributions into the trust's coffers.

"I obviously can't say whether it has affected potential contributors.

"Most of our major contributors are from the trade unions, Cosatu and the South African Communist Party, who have still come out in public support of Zuma.

"There have been no signs of disgruntlement."

Asked whether any of the money would be used to fund the rape trial, which is expected to begin in the Johannesburg High Court next month, he said this was a matter for the trustees.

"At the moment our mandate is for the main (corruption) trial, but should the lawyers approach the trust for assistance for the rape trial, then the trustees would have to make that decision and use their discretion," he said.

Two of the senior counsel involved in the main trial have been briefed to represent Zuma in the rape trial.

With acknowledgements to Tania Broughton and The Mercury.