Newly elected African National Congress (ANC) leader Jacob Zuma was facing
the prospect on Thursday of being slapped with corruption charges as he prepared
to deliver a keynote address at the party's national conference in Polokwane.
Less than two days after Zuma's dramatic victory in the ruling-party leadership
contest over the incumbent president Thabo Mbeki, the acting head of the
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said enough evidence had been gathered to
charge him at the end of a marathon corruption investigation.
"The investigation is complete. All that we are doing now is to tie the loose
ends," acting national director of public prosecutions Mokotedi Mpshe told 702
Talk Radio. "The investigation, with the evidence we have now, points to a case
that can be taken to court," he added.
Mpshe said a final decision on when to take action on Zuma was "imminent". Asked
whether charges would be filed soon, he replied: "Yes, that's my impression."
Zuma's financial adviser Schabir Shaik is currently serving a 15-year prison
sentence after he was found guilty of soliciting bribes on behalf of Zuma.
Initial corruption charges against Zuma were dropped last September when a judge
threw them out of court after it emerged the state did not have enough evidence
to charge him, but it continued with its investigation.
The prospects of Zuma being brought to court climbed sharply last month when he
lost a bid to have a series of search warrants declared illegal.
Zuma's keynote address at the Polokwane conference was scheduled for mid-morning
on Thursday, but the party was still locked in commission discussions on various
policy issues. The newly elected national executive committee also still had to
be announced, with some ANC staff telling the Mail & Guardian Online that
vote-counting was going very slowly and results would only be available by 9pm
on Thursday evening.
Therefore, Zuma's address might only come much later in the day. He is also
expected to speak to the media at a press conference following the closing
session of the conference.
Scorpions
Zuma's supporters have portrayed the investigation,
which is centred on a 1999 arms deal, as part of a conspiracy being waged
by the elite Scorpions police unit, which was set up by Mbeki.
With Zuma supporters now holding the balance of power within the ANC, the party
voted on Wednesday night for the disbandment of the unit -- although such a
decision has to be taken by Parliament.
New ANC treasurer general Mathews Phosa, an ally of Zuma, said the cloud hanging
over Zuma's head was "a cloud manipulated by the Scorpions", which he referred
to as a "hit squad".
The fresh row over the corruption inquiry is likely to take the shine off Zuma's
victory address in Polokwane, which will signal the close of an often
acrimonious conference that began on Sunday.
Zuma is likely to address concerns that his support from the South African
Communist Party (SACP) and the Congress of South African Trade Unions during the
campaign will not leave him in hock to his allies.
He is also expected to address deep divisions left behind after his acrimonious
tussle with Mbeki for the reins of the party that has governed South Africa
since the end of apartheid in 1994.
Following Zuma's victory, commentators are predicting turbulent times ahead for
South Africa with two centres of power in the Union Buildings and Luthuli House
in Johannesburg.
While the conference has exposed deep divisions between rival ANC factions, Zuma
said before the gathering that he expected the party to rally behind the leader
in its aftermath.