The recent furore concerning our deputy president and the Scorpions would normally leave most of us rolling around laughing uncontrollably if it wasn't for the disturbing set of circumstances.

It is obvious our criminal justice system is collapsing as it loses sight of its role and purpose. Simply put, the powerful mechanisms of the system, which are there for the detection, investigation and prosecution of crime by the national directorate of public prosecutions (including the Scorpions), have seemingly been hijacked by personal agendas.

This type of behaviour is reminiscent of the Associated Intelligence Networks Durban Roodepoort Deep saga, where the criminal justice system was literally usurped for private purposes to attack and humiliate the Kebbles, an entrepreneurial family.

The Scorpions were part of a multiagency investigation into the arms deal a few years back, and found no wrongdoing in the final report to Parliament. Yet they have initiated and dragged out an investigation concerning an alleged bribe for three years without laying a charge or issuing a summons.

The anonymous leaking of the Scorpions' questions to Zuma in the press also smacks of gross manipulation of events and trashes the dictum "innocent until proven guilty". The fiasco points to political motives and agendas.

Surely the Scorpions should be devoting their time and resources to real issues of white-collar crime, such as the findings and recommendations of the rand commission reports. SA was robbed of billions of rands during 2001.

One of the three commissioners recommended further investigation and in some cases prosecution. The commission lasted about four months. Some in the private sector and the press scoffed at its existence and criticised it as a witchhunt with no foundation, hence assisting its rapid closure.

However, the same elements applaud the investigation into the deputy president as a victory for the rule of law. It is strange that alleged foreign exchange crimes of such severity enjoy minimal effort while the deputy president is the focus of attention for three years.

The matter needs to be expedited quickly. Jacob Zuma is an exemplary leader who has sacrificed his entire working life for the attainment of a nonracial democracy. Yet he has patiently endured the application of substandard rights over a long period of time. One wonders what rights ordinary citizens experience at the hands of the Scorpions if a respected leader of the second-highest office is treated with such contempt.

Zuma is a man driven by love and compassion certainly not power. Patriotic South Africans should reject with contempt the spurious allegations and humiliating smear tactics against him. This process has endeavoured to destroy a leadership icon who can be compared to Winston Churchill.

He has performed a profound role in rallying people against a fascist regime as well as assisting in the resolution of regional conflicts in Africa. He has often filled the breach between factions to his left and right to ensure political harmony and stability. I instinctively believe Zuma will be exonerated and serve our nation for many years to come.

The justice minister should ensure this matter is finalised expeditiously. It cannot be drawn out any longer. Once the questions are answered, the national director should respond within a week so this "coup by stealth" can end and the truth be disclosed.

If I'm proven correct and Zuma is exonerated, I believe he and the nation require an apology. In fact, when this scenario is realised, public prosecutions director Bulelani Ngcuka should do the honourable thing and resign. The political aims would then have been exposed.

What must not be forgotten, though, is that Ngcuka's reckless antics are occurring during Justice Minister Penuell Maduna's watch. He cannot stand, as did Pontius Pilate, and say he washes his hands while Zuma is dealt with unjustly.

I speak for many when I thank Zuma for what he has done and for what he is still to do for our nation. To this great leader we say, "A luta continua."

Wakeford is MD of Growth Africa.

With acknowledgement to the Business Day.