Allies of ANC president Jacob Zuma must be brought to book for inciting violence. Statements such as: "This time there will be blood spilt in the courtroom. People are ready to put themselves in the frontline," from Cosatu's Zet Luzipho, are reckless, against the law and cannot go unpunished.

Worringly, there is not a word of condemnation from the ANC leadership which committed itself at the recent Polokwane conference to work with the present government until its term ends in 2009.

Could these perhaps be the first signs of what we have feared all along, that there will be tensions between the two centres of powers - the Union Buildings and Luthuli House? If so, what then is going to happen to the stability of our country?

The calls to violence come amid new charges of racketeering, among others, that the State is bringing against Zuma. His allies and his defence attorney have complained about the timing of the indictment, which was served over the Christmas period. They say this confirms their suspicions that the Scorpions were being used to kill Zuma's political career.

Be that as it may, surely inciting people to violence is not going to bring solutions but lawlessness and mayhem?

Threats of violence must be condemned by all peace-loving South Africans. This country has a proud history of non-violence and Nobel Peace Prize laureates - Nelson Mandela and FW De Klerk and Bishop Desmond Tutu - bear testimony to our bloodless transition to democracy.

One has to look no further than Kenya to realise that violence or even threats of violence can never be ignored because it can easily degenerate into bloodshed and ethnic cleansing. Perhaps this is why Jacob Zuma must have his day in court as soon as possible, to prove once and for all that he is innocent - as he and his supporters insist he is.

With acknowledgement to Pretoria News.