Pikoli reacts over Zuma

The National Director of Public Prosecutions, Vusi Pikoli, who is adamant that he will not withdraw the criminal charges against ANC deputy president Jacob Zuma, has called Cosatu's bluff to prove their conspiracy allegations in court, or shut up.

In a letter responding to Cosatu's memorandum demanding that charges against Zuma be withdrawn, he said: "I dismiss any suggestions or demand that the charges against Zuma should be withdrawn."

Last month, Cosatu sent Pikoli the memorandum in which they alleged that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) was part of a conspiracy "compromising Zuma from being a future ANC and 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 after Durban High Court Judge Hilary Squires found that he had a generally corrupt relationship with his financial adviser, Schabir Shaik.

Pikoli challenged Cosatu to prove its suspicion that the NPA is involved in a conspiracy.

"I … wish to challenge Cosatu to make use of its constitutional right to dispute any of my decisions relating to 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 constitutional and legal obligations regarding the prosecution in deciding to prosecute Zuma and raid his premises.

He accused Cosatu of being inconsistent and applying double standards regarding Zuma's prosecution.

"When Schabir Shaik was found guilty on a charge of corruption in that he made corrupt payments to or on behalf of Zuma, Cosatu was one of the organisations which indicated that it "definitely has to respect the court's decision".

"Now that the court has indicated that there is overwhelming evidence of a corrupt relationship, Cosatu is demanding that the charges against Zuma be dropped. Therefore, as far as Shaik is concerned, Cosatu respects the decision, but as far as Zuma is concerned, it criticises the judgment," Pikoli said, adding that it was the same union which had been calling for Zuma to have his day in court.

Zuma is scheduled to appear again in the Pietermaritzburg High Court next month.

Cosatu general secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi, was unavailable to comment.

With acknowledgements to Moshoeshoe Monare and Cape Times.