ANC line maintained

Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqa-kula does not want to be accused of pre-judging Jacob Zuma in the event that corruption charges are reinstated against him.

Asked on the BBC Hardtalk programme whether he believed Zuma was the right man to become president, Nqakula stuck to the ANC's national executive line of not commenting on the suitability of candidates.

"I am not in a position to say that leader must be disqualified, that leader must be raised," Nqakula said.

Reminded that his cabinet colleague Alec Erwin had on the same programme effectively questioned Zuma's suitability, Nqakula said he would have thought the interviewer, Stephen Sackur, would not have asked the question given that he was safety and security minister.

"Because if, and when, we place Jacob Zuma in a court, I don't want a situation where he (Zuma) says his matter has been prejudged by the person whose responsibility it is to place him before that court in the first instance."

Zuma told the Cape Town press club last month that he would accept nomination for the presidency of the party, even if he was recharged with corruption.

On the same programme, ANC businessman Tokyo Sexwale also said he would consider standing if he was nominated for leadership of the party.

He has since been accused of being presumptuous, by among others party secretary-general Kgalema Motlanthe, who is critical of those who break with the ANC's so-called tradition of not actively campaigning for a position.

ANC NEC member Enoch Godongwana said this week that Sexwale had been unfairly criticised.

"To selectively attack those who say they are available is negative campaigning and borders on character assassination. It should not be allowed in the ANC," said Godongwana.

With acknowledgements to Angela Quintal and Daily News.