Publication: Business Day
Issued:
Date: 2006-11-24
Reporter: Michael Joko
Reporter:
Anton
Harber’s column was the most mature piece I have read regarding the misquoting
of Judge Hilary Squires on the Shaik trial and Jacob Zuma’s link in the debacle,
Of mistakes, olive branches and sharpened sticks (November 22).
Harber is
correct in saying that everyone makes mistakes: judges, journalists and
politicians included. It is human to err.
While agreeing that all should
be seen in this forgiving light as they do their collective apologia, should we also forgive Zuma for his errors, political or personal,
or continue harping on them?
Michael Joko
Ottawa, Canada With acknowledgements to Michael
Joko and Business Day.
*1 If Zuma is guilty of criminal
misconduct then civilised society demands both retribution and
rehabilitation.
*1 If there is prima facie indicating
that Zuma is guilty of criminal misconduct then ciivilised society demands
indictment and a trial.
Zuma got a fair trial in the Johannesburg High
Court, there is nothing to suggest that he cannot get a fair trial in the
Piermaritzburg High Court.
Indeed, Judge Hilary Squires is one of the
fairest and most High Court competent judges in the country. He is also not yet
75 and did not serve a full term as a judge in South Africa. He is therefore
eligible for another callup for duty. It's also not such a long drive from Kloof
to PMB each day - or the JP can move the trial back to Durban.
Judge
Squires also knows and has proven to the entire world that he is neither
prejudicial towards Jacob Zuma nor has he pre-judged him. Judge Squires also
knows and has proven that he knows that, even though they were involved with the
Schabir Shaik matters, neither Jacob Zuma nor the Two Thints were on trial
before him and therefore he did not have to pronounce on their culpability or
otherwise.
The Judge President of the Natal Division could not make a
better choice than Judge Hilary Squires to preside over the trial of Jacob Zuma
and the Two Thints.
I hereby nominate Judge Hilary Squires to preside
over the trial of Jacob Zuma and the Two Thints.
But first Vusi Pikoli
has to do his duty and re-indict Jacob Zuma and the Two Thints.