Publication: Cape Argus Issued: Date: 2008-03-09 Reporter: Sibusiso Ngalwa Reporter: Moshoeshoe Monare

Tension rises as Mbeki heads for Mauritius

 

Publication 

Cape Argus
Date

2008-03-09
Reporter Sibusiso Ngalwa
Moshoeshoe Monare

Web Link

www.capeargus.co.za


Luthuli House fears president may badmouth Zuma

President Thabo Mbeki is heading for Mauritius this week to attend the island's Independence Day celebrations amid discomfort in the ANC about his trip's effect on Jacob Zuma's court battle there.

This follows Zuma's presentation to the Mauritian prosecuting authorities alleging Mbeki was complicit in a plot to tarnish him.

Although Mbeki's trip is an official visit, top officials at Luthuli House are believed to be unnerved by his descent on the country that seems to hold Zuma's fate in its hands.

Some officials, Weekend Argus was told, believe Mbeki's interaction with the Mauritian prime minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam - who coincidentally snubbed Zuma's lawyer Michael Hulley - could be "unfavourable" to the ANC president, who is facing a corruption trial in August.

The concern also stems from allegations that Mbeki - during a state visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo last year - had badmouthed businessman and ANC national executive committee member Tokyo Sexwale, who has business interests there.

This was confirmed, at the time, by Sexwale's aides who said their contacts in the DRC had informed them of Mbeki's interference.

Also, Zuma alleges in his affidavit Mbeki had taken a trip to Chile in 2005 with the now suspended prosecutions boss Vusi Pikoli, where they allegedly took a decision to charge him.

Coincidentally, while Mbeki is expected to land in Port Louis on Tuesday for his two-day visit, the Mauritian attorney-general, Rama Valayden, has asked for more time to prepare his documentation in Zuma's court battle, according to an SABC report.

Hulley was quoted as saying he had received notice the Mauritian attorney-general would now file on March 24. Valayden has made it clear he will oppose Zuma's attempts to block the National Prosecuting Authority from getting documents, linked to the Zuma trial, that were seized in 2001.

The documents - held by the Mauritian authorities - include a diary with an entry about a meeting between French arms company Thint's former CEO Alain Thethard, convicted fraudster Schabir Shaik and Zuma where a R500 000 bribe for the ANC president was allegedly discussed.

ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe said he was not aware of any officials being concerned about Mbeki's trip.

"There is Independence Day (celebrations); you can't stop people (from going) because there's another person with a case," said Mantashe.

Presidential spokesman Mukoni Ratshitanga said Mbeki's visit was at the invitation of the Mauritian government to attend its 40th anniversary celebrations of Independence Day.

"He is going there to attend the Independence Day celebrations. (Mbeki) was invited by the government of Mauritius ... he didn't just wake up and decide (to go). That is the purpose of the visit, nothing else," said Ratshitanga.

Apparently Zuma told Mbeki about his affidavit to the Mauritian authorities during their one-on-one meeting last month.

According to an alliance leader close to Zuma, the ANC president put it to Mbeki that not only did he mention the president's name to mount a legal defence, but he also personally believed in what he said.

Hulley, said they did not believe Mbeki's visit would affect their court battle there as his trip seemed like a "fair state visit".

"I can't say as much ... there's no basis to be concerned. I don't think there's anything sinister (about the visit). As we understand, there'll be quite a few other heads of state who will be attending," said Hulley.

However, Luthuli House officials are adopting a we-told-you-so attitude towards Mbeki, following warnings Zuma's corruption trial will bring the ANC, government, and certainly Mbeki, into a scandalous public domain.

Mbeki was upset when Zuma mentioned his name in a 2005 affidavit, with senior ANC national working committee members then pushing for the president to reply.

But on legal advice, it was agreed former national director of public prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka and former justice minister Penuell Maduna would reply.

Zuma is still adamant he will drag Mbeki and scores of Cabinet ministers to the stand to show the president knew a lot more about the arms deal.

With acknowledgements to Sibusiso Ngalwa, Moshoeshoe Monare and Cape Argus.