Publication: Cape Argus Issued: Date: 2005-11-08 Reporter:

Zuma Bash Aims to Raise R12m

 

Publication 

Cape Argus

Date

2005-11-08

Web Link

www.capeargus.co.za

 

A R250-a-head cocktail party has been organised by backers of former deputy president, Jacob Zuma, this weekend. They plan to create a "carnival spirit" at events planned around his appearance *1 in the Durban Magistrate's Court.

Frantic planning and activities are under way in Durban this week ahead of Zuma's third court appearance where he will face two charges of corruption. Backers plan to bring 30 000 people to the court on Saturday.

KwaZulu-Natal businessman Don Mkhwanazi, who has been entrusted with mobilising the Zuma defence fund, said yesterday that the gala fundraising cocktail party was arranged to help build up a R12 million "war-chest" for the former deputy president's defence.

He said the party would be attended by a Who's-Who of Zuma backers and by members of the business community.

Leading figures in the Zuma-supporting triumvirate of the South African Communist Party, the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the ANC Youth League are expected to attend.

They include SACP chairman Blade Nzimande, Cosatu secretary-general Zwelinzima Vavi, and their provincial counterparts.

Some MECs are also expected to attend.

Business figures will include KwaZulu-Natal casino mogul Vivian Reddy, who is close to Zuma.

Mkhwanazi said the cocktail party would take place at Beach Cafe, owned by Prince Sifiso Zulu, president of the Durban Chamber of Commerce.

"We are anticipating putting a marquee next to the Beach Cafe as the venue itself is a bit small.

"We are now turning (Jacob Zuma's) overwhelming support into cash.

"We have a trial date set. For justice to be seen to be done we need money to engage the best defence brains."

The event will start at 6pm and 1 000 tickets are on sale.

Those attending will later move to the Durban Magistrate's Court area where a night vigil has been organised.

Mkhwanazi said Zuma himself would not attend the gala event.

"We are now stepping up our fund-raising campaign.

"On Saturday there will be fund raising braai parties all over Durban after the court appearance.

He said prior to the vigil, a meeting would take place with alliance partners to ensure that everything proceeded smoothly.

Despite having had already fielded a high-powered legal defence team, Mkhwanazi insisted that it still needed to be "beefed up".

"When the trial proper begins we will need more lawyers to handle different aspects of the defence.

"We need a minimum of R12m to ensure that Zuma is properly represented. This is a gigantic task", he said.

Meanwhile, the Young Communist League leader, Muzi Zuma, said people were being encouraged to gather outside the court on Friday *2.

"Everyone has been asked to organise transport. We understand that some unions will be organising buses and we are backing that," said Zuma.

With acknowledgement to the Cape Argus.


*1  Just when we thought we had rid the Republic of Guy Fawkes we get lumped with more carnivals in celebration of unlikely heroes. Although with Fawkes there was, and unfortunately still, is a lot of pyrotechnics, with the modern heroics it's projectiles consisting of bottles of urine (plus the odd combusted T-shirt for a national president and common-or-garden stones for a provincial premier).

*2  What for, disrupt traffic and generally intimidate law-abiding citizens?