Just three weeks after African National Congress (ANC) president Jacob Zuma
flew to Mauritius in a bid to frustrate the state's bid
to obtain evidence of corruption against him, President Thabo Mbeki is in that
country meeting high-ranking government officials, including members of the
judiciary.
While in Mauritius for that country's 40th Independence Day celebrations, Mbeki
is to meet its president, prime minister and chief justice
to discuss "political and economic matters *1".
Mbeki is the only head of state to attend the celebrations, but officials said
Zuma's case was not on agenda.
Mbeki's discussions with the Mauritian chief justice could
well add impetus to Zuma's allegations that there is a political conspiracy
against him aimed at denting his chances of succeeding Mbeki next year as SA's
president.
In court papers, Zuma argues that his legal troubles are the result of political
conspiracy. As head of the ruling party, Zuma is first in line to take over when
Mbeki steps down next year.
Although the former ANC national executive committee under Mbeki ruled there was
no political conspiracy against Zuma, Mbeki's trip to Mauritius and his
interactions with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) could fuel
allegations of political interference, especially considering that former NPA
head Bulelani Ngcuka announced there was prima facie evidence against Zuma after
discussing the issue with Mbeki.
Zuma has also emphasised in court papers that his dismissal as SA's deputy
president in 2005 came soon after Mbeki's trip to Chile with suspended NPA head
Vusi Pikoli.
While Mbeki is in Mauritius, Zuma's lawyers will be fighting allegations against
him in the Constitutional Court. Zuma's application for an order declaring
that search warrants were invalid will be heard today. The matter has been set
down for two days. It is not clear when judgment will be delivered.
The state's initial corruption case against Zuma was thrown out of the
Pietermaritzburg High Court in 2006, because prosecutors failed to provide a
complete indictment and were not ready to proceed.
Prosecutors will want the Mauritian documents in hand and the Constitutional
Court to rule in favour of the state before Zuma's corruption case starts in
August.
Zuma has defended his attempts to stop the state from accessing evidence against
him, saying he has a "constitutional right" to defend
himself *2.
Last month, Zuma asked the Mauritian Supreme Court for the right to stop
the NPA from obtaining the originals of 13 documents used to convict his
financial adviser, Schabir Shaik, of fraud and corruption. During his trip, Zuma
also met Mauritian Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam.
The Mauritian attorney-general has indicated his office will oppose Zuma's
application, and on Friday requested more time to prepare his documentation
before the matter went before the court.
The disputed documents (copies of which were used in the case against Shaik)
sought by the NPA include a diary in which then Thint representative Alain
Thetard recorded a meeting he had with Zuma and Shaik.
The state alleges that at this meeting the three men discussed a R500000-a-year
payment for Zuma in return for protection during investigations into SA's arms
deal. The papers were seized by the Mauritian Economic Crime Office.
With acknowledgements to Hajra Omarjee
and Business
Day.
*1More likely "economic and
political matters".
*2But he does have a right to stop the release of the
Mauritian documents because he does have locus standi - because they are not his
documents.