Publication: Sunday Times Issued: Date: 2005-11-13 Reporter: Paddy Harper

Cocktail Party Swells Defence Fund

 

Publication 

Sunday Times

Date

2005-11-13

Reporter

 Paddy Harper

Web Link

www.sundaytimes.co.za

 

‘The truth is that if you have good lawyers, you will have a better chance of seeing justice’

Jacob Zuma’s backers raised R246 000 in pledges in only 30 minutes on Friday night at a glitzy R250-a-head cocktail party held on Durban’s beachfront to bolster the axed deputy president’s legal defence fund.

The Friends of Jacob Zuma Trust, which hosted the event, also raked in an estimated R125 000 in ticket sales, although a consolidated figure will be available only tomorrow.

An upbeat Don Mkhwanazi, chair of the trust, was over the moon with the response from Zuma’s supporters, most of whom came from Durban’s business and political communities.

“We did far better than we initially expected,” he said. “There were around 200 people who bought tickets but did not attend because they were nervous about being associated with the initiative and instead used this as an opportunity to quietly make their donation.”

Pledges ranged from as little as R100 to a whopping R30 000 from a leading Durban accountant. Auctioneer Mlu Manci cajoled and teased the faithful to open their wallets and chequebooks with great success.

SA Communist Party secretary-general Blade Nzimande, ANC Youth League president Fikile Mbalula, Young Communist League chairman Buti Manamela and KwaZulu-Natal Local Government MEC Mike Mabuyakhulu were the most prominent politicians present. Millionaire businessman Vivian Reddy, a witness in Zuma’s case, also attended. Senior municipal officials, provincial government staffers and Durban Deputy Mayor Logie Naidoo were also at the event.

Mkhwanazi said it cost the trust nothing. “People came forward with offers of the tent, catering, music and so on as their contribution towards Msholozi’s defence. Every cent we took in — the tickets, the pledges and the bar — will go to the legal fund.”

Mkhwanazi said the trust would, in the near future, roll out its “master plan” for raising the R12-million it estimates is needed to secure Zuma “the best legal brains money can buy”. “Ambassadors” would raise funds throughout SA, holding braais, dinners and other events at which Zuma’s supporters could contribute.

“This is a national effort and the fundraising aspect needs to be the same,” Mkhwanazi said.

“The truth is that if you have good lawyers, you will have a better chance of seeing justice in the courts. That is a reality of our legal system. If you have a lousy lawyer, the likelihood is that you will go to jail, even if you are innocent.”

Mbalula exhorted supporters to dig deep to ensure Zuma got a fair trial.

Meanwhile, Zuma’s multimillion-rand defence team is set to change dramatically before his corruption trial begins in earnest next July. Yesterday the defence was led by Jerome Brauns, one of four senior counsel on Zuma’s original six-member defence team, and not by the higher-profile advocates earlier associated with Zuma.

Kessie Naidu SC, who led the defence in Zuma’s second appearance on October 11, is believed to be preparing to drop his brief for Zuma and co-accused, French arms firm Thint. Discussions have been taking place in the Zuma camp about whether Naidu should stick with Zuma or take the brief from Thint.

At Zuma’s October appearance, Naidu was joined by Brauns, Vusi Mkhize and leading Durban SC Kemp J Kemp. The rest of the team was made up of advocates Mohamed Patel and Michael Mthembu and instructing attorney Michael Hulley.

Naidu refused to discuss the matter. He described yesterday’s appearance as “just a formality” and said it was appropriate that it be handled by a “junior” member *1.

Hulley said the team would be finalised in the course of the week.

With acknowledgements to Paddy Harper and Sunday Times.


*1  Kessie, what a fun senior to have on your side, or not on your side.