Publication: Business Day Issued: Date: 2006-09-05 Reporter: Edward West

No ANC Probe of Zuma’s Plot Claim

 

Publication 

Business Day
Date 2006-09-05

Reporter

 Edward West

Web Link

www.businessday.co.za

 

Durban ­ The African National Congress (ANC) was not investigating claims by former deputy president Jacob Zuma that there was a plot against him, KwaZulu-Natal secretary-general and ANC national executive (NEC) member Senzo Mchunu said yesterday.

Zuma, whose corruption trial resumes today in the Pietermaritzburg High Court, had claimed in his affidavits that there were “certain investigations” which might throw “significant light” on the conspiracy which he claims is being waged against him. But “obviously I cannot raise these considerations until the facts have been confirmed”, he said.

Mchunu’s comments are in line with a decision by the NEC, which also dismissed claims of a political conspiracy against the ANC deputy president earlier this year.

However, the party did set up an internal commission to probe the authenticity and origin of hoax e-mails purporting an anti-Zuma plot allegedly involving senior party leaders. Zuma has said that he appeared before the ANC’s commission in this regard.

The party set up its internal probe following unhappiness in ANC circles over the process and findings of the inspector-general for intelligence’s report into the same matter.

Mchunu said the ANC’s KwaZulu-Natal region had already discussed the issue of leadership and had decided it would nominate Zuma to be the next president of the ANC.

“The ANC procedure is that once we decide to nominate you, and you are of good standing, we call you and check if you are available just before we make our nomination. This has not happened (in Zuma’s case) yet,” Mchunu said.

Zuma’s statement in his affidavits that he was being viewed as a candidate for the presidency had been misconstrued, Mchunu said. “He was not necessarily expressing an ambition to be the next president. To us, letting us know that he is in good standing has a different meaning.”

Zuma is fighting an application by the state to have his trial postponed until next year. He is arguing that he is the subject of a conspiracy to stop his political career and that his right to a speedy trial has been infringed upon. Zuma wants a permanent stay of the trial, or to have it struck off the roll.

Mchunu addressed a media briefing on preparations for a night vigil at the court last night.

With acknowledgements to Edward West and Business Day.