Publication: Sunday Times Issued: Date: 2005-11-06 Reporter: Paddy Harper Reporter:

Zuma Fans Hope for Crowd of 30 000

 

Publication 

Sunday Times

Date

2005-11-06

Reporter

Paddy Harper

Web Link

www.sundaytimes.co.za

 

Jacob Zuma’s supporters are mobilising ahead of the weekend’s night vigil and court appearance, with organisers hoping for a turnout of about 30000 people.

The former deputy president will appear in the Durban Regional Court on Saturday for his case to be postponed to July 31 for trial.

While the ANC alliance in KwaZulu-Natal has left it up to individuals to get to the court, the Young Communist League (YCL) will bus in supporters. Organiser Muzi Zuma said YCL branches in North West would picket local courts “to clear up the perception that North West does not support Jacob Zuma, caused by the North West ANC’s failure to back him at the ANC National General Council”.

Similar pickets will be held in the Eastern Cape and Limpopo.

Cosatu KwaZulu-Natal secretary Zet Luzipho said the alliance would restrict itself to logistics and marshalling roles, but other structures were free to lay on transport for supporters.

Luzipho said national alliance leaders were expected to attend, but this would depend on their duties ahead of voter registration on November 19 and 20.

He was unclear whether ANC KwaZulu-Natal chairman S’bu Ndebele, who was heckled at Zuma’s last appearance, would attend.

On Friday the indictment against Zuma was served on his lawyer, Michael Hulley, in terms of an agreement between the defence and the prosecution.

While its contents are secret, the defence appears to have gained an early victory in limiting the indictment to the two initial corruption charges against Zuma.

These relate to his “generally corrupt relationship” with Schabir Shaik, who was convicted on corruption and fraud charges over his payments of R1.2-million to Zuma and an attempt to solicit a bribe of R1-million for the former deputy president from French arms dealer Thomson (now Thint).

Two Thint subsidiaries ­ Thint Holdings (Southern Africa) Pty (Ltd), formerly Thomson CSF, and Thint (Pty) Ltd, formerly known as Thomson (Pty) Ltd ­ are co-accused.

The payments ­ and alleged acts of reciprocation by Zuma ­ were central to the case against Shaik.

The probe into other alleged crimes by Zuma ­ tax evasion and defrauding Parliament by not disclosing the payments ­ is continuing.

At Zuma’s last court appearance, prosecutor Billy Downer indicated that he would broaden the indictment ahead of the trial date ­ a move that defence counsel Kessie Naidu will oppose.

•The DA yesterday called on the National Prosecuting Authority to charge Shaik’s brother Chippy, former chief of acquisitions for Armscor, as a “probable co-accused” in the Zuma-Thint case.

“New evidence has recently brought his role in the arms deal into sharp focus. Of particular concern is the fact that the joint investigating team report states that Chippy Shaik did not recuse himself properly from the deal in order to avoid conflicts of interest,” said Eddie Trent, DA spokesman on defence.

“We believe that the NPA has no option but to launch a criminal investigation in this regard.”

Trent said he hoped the trial would shed light on whether President Thabo Mbeki met top Thomson officials before the tender process in the arms deal was completed as Mbeki chaired the committee responsible for awarding the contract.

“The DA is in possession of written correspondence between Thompson-CSF and then Deputy President Mbeki that would appear to suggest he did hold such a meeting. Yet he is refusing ... to confirm or deny that this is so. We hope Thint will be able to shed some light on the matter.”

With acknowledgements to Paddy Harper and the Sunday Times.


*1  The very refusal to answer the parliamentary question in this regard shows that the meeting did happen - as indeed the Thomson-CSF shows.

More importantly, was this meeting an official one? - if so, what was the agenda and where are the minutes. If not - then......................

It's a tough one.

Maybe Barbara Masekela can enlighten?

Or Yusuf Surtee?

Or Ronald Suresh Roberts?