Publication: Independent Online Issued: Date: 2006-08-15 Reporter: Sapa

Ngcuka 'Tried to Preserve Zuma's Reputation'

 

Publication 

Independent Online

Date

2006-08-15

Reporter

Sapa

Web Link

www.iol.co.za

 

The former head of the National Prosecuting Authority, Bulelani Ngcuka, "did everything" within his power to protect the reputation of former deputy president Jacob Zuma, according to an affidavit filed in the Pietermaritzburg High Court.

In the document, Ngcuka denied allegations of involvement in any political conspiracy against Zuma.

The affidavit was filed by the National Director of Public Prosecutions Vusi Pikoli and made available to Sapa on Tuesday.

"In retrospect, it is that I may have tried too hard to protect accused number one's (Jacob Zuma's) reputation and not the contrary," he said.

The affidavit was included in a response to submissions by Zuma on August 31 in his corruption trial.

"I am verily of the belief that these rumours have been started and fuelled by Zuma and his supporters in an attempt to deflect from the seriousness of the charges which he is facing *1."

Zuma had claimed in his affidavit to the court that the investigation was "designed from the outset solely or mainly to destroy my reputation or political role-playing ability".

Accusations had been levelled against Ngcuka by Zuma supporters, including the Congress of South African Trade Unions, that his actions were evidence of a political conspiracy. Cosatu however conceded earlier on Tuesday that it did not have "conclusive proof" of a conspiracy.

Ngcuka's so-called "off-the-record briefing" with the media had left Zuma supporters and Zuma saying that the NPA was co-operating with the media.

In his affidavit Ngcuka said that the "off the record briefing" was an attempt to "dispel defamatory and damaging rumours that were being circulated" about him.

This included the "allegation, which was later brought into the public domain by a certain ex-journalist who now acts as media consultant to accused number one (Zuma), that I was an apartheid spy."

He also accused Zuma of attempting to "resurrect" defamatory allegations, of which "the main source appeared to be Vusi Mona *1", the former editor of the City Press.

"This is a man whose integrity and reliability were thoroughly discredited in the Hefer Commission."

With acknowledgement to Sapa and Independent On Line. 


*1       Vusi Mona was just the mouthpiece of the messenger,  Ranjeni Munusamy.

The main sources were Mac Maharaj, one of Schabir Shaikh's beneficiaries and Mo Shaik, one of Zuma's main supporters.

This is clear from the Hefer Commission of Enquiry.