The plot against Jacob Zuma exists only in his head
- and he is not the only senior ANC member under investigation.
This was what the Scorpions told the Mauritius Supreme Court yesterday, when
they rubbished Zuma's claims he had been singled out for a politically motivated
prosecution as "vague", unsupported "by any credible evidence" and based only on
"his own subjective suspicions".
Scorpion Special Investigator Izak du Plooy also revealed the unit was
investigating two other government ministers for corruption - a direct
contradiction of the ANC president's allegation he was the only minister they
had targeted.
According to Du Plooy: "Former minister of defence Joe
Modise was under investigation for alleged
corruption relating to the arms deal, which investigation was
unfortunately thwarted by his untimely death.
"Former minister of transport Mac Maharaj has also
been under investigation for some time in relation to his alleged
corrupt dealings with (Zuma's former financial
advisor and convicted fraudster) Schabir Shaik."
Earlier this year, Zuma told the Mauritius Supreme Court that the NPA's decision
in December to recharge him and French arms company Thint for
corruption was part of a "carefully orchestrated,
politically inspired and driven strategy to exclude me from any meaningful
political role".
Zuma has asked the court for the right to stop the NPA obtaining the originals
of 13 documents used to convict Shaik of fraud and corruption.
He argues he should be given this right because the case against him is
political.
"It suffices to say that certain individuals deployed in established
institutions both inside and outside the ANC are strongly opposed to my
stewardship of the ANC and the country," he said.
He accused President Thabo Mbeki and suspended national director of public
prosecutions Vusi Pikoli of being the chief suspects in a conspiracy against
him, which he suggested had been motivated by a desire to thwart his
presidential ambitions.
"I have always been perceived as a populist, attuned to the needs of the masses
and the poor. I am also known to have strong views on many contentious issues."
But Du Plooy yesterday vehemently denied there was any political dimension to
the case against Zuma.
"I specifically deny (Zuma's) prosecution is motivated by any ulterior motive,
political or otherwise, and maintain the NPA is simply discharging its
constitutional mandate to prosecute without fear, favour
or prejudice."
He also pointed out Zuma had made his conspiracy allegations against the state
before, but had later "abandoned" them and had "yet to put up any credible
evidence to support them".
Pikoli has previously also challenged Zuma's claim that the then NPA boss had an
"ulterior motive" in charging him by stating under oath: "I take my oath of
office seriously. I have no interest in who runs the country.
"My allegiance is to the Constitution and the upholding of the rule of law."
Du Plooy added that this evidence had "to a large extent been tested and
confirmed" by the Durban High Court, which convicted Shaik and drew attention to
the fact that "although Mr Zuma was not an accused in that trial, he was
requested by Shaik to testify in his defence, but declined
to do so".
With acknowledgement to Karyn Maughan and Cape Argus.