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ANC Courthouse Rally 'A Diversion' - Analyst |
| Publication |
Cape Argus |
| Date | 2009-02-03 |
|
Web Link |
The ANC's decision to use its deputy
president's *1 court appearance to sell its manifesto was an attempt to
deflect attention away from his legal troubles, a political analyst said on
Tuesday.
Deputy president Jacob Zuma will appear in
the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Wednesday and the African National Congress
has announced that it will use Zuma's court appearance to hold a mass rally to
sell its manifesto to the people.
The ruling party said it had been provided with a perfect opportunity and
platform to campaign to the more than 15 000 people expected to gather outside
the court to show their support of Zuma.
KwaZulu-Natal-based political analyst Kiru Naidoo described the ANC's decision
to use Zuma's court appearance to campaign as an
unusual political tactic.
"The ANC's decision to use Zuma's court appearance to campaign seems to be an
attempt to deflect attention away from Zuma's legal troubles which have the
potential to hurt the ANC," he said.
Zuma faces charges of corruption, fraud, money laundering and racketeering.
The criminal charges against Zuma were reinstated after the Supreme Court of
Appeal ruled in favour of an appeal by the National Director of Public
Prosecutions (NDPP).
The NDPP had challenged a 2008 ruling by Pietermaritzburg High Court Judge Chris
Nicholson which held that the charges against Zuma were invalid.
Naidoo said even a dent in the ANC's proportion of the vote could upset its
control of certain legislatures.
"While the ANC is still the lead party, a lot of opposition is leaping at its
heels. It cannot afford to let down its guard and has to use every opportunity -
even court appearances - to propel
itself," added Naidoo.
Zakhele Ndlovu, another political scientist, had a different view.
He said the ANC's decision was an attempt to tell people not to listen to what
the opposition parties said about Zuma.
"It is a strategic move because in their opinion Zuma's case is political.
"The ANC has every right to defend Zuma because he has not been found guilty by
a court of law. It is not a bad strategy at this point because
Zuma is still innocent *2," he said.
ANC deputy secretary in KwaZulu-Natal, Sihle Zikalala, said his party had always
held gatherings outside the court during Zuma appearances.
"It has always been about support for the deputy
president. We have always had our leaders addressing people outside the
court and the only difference this time is that it is election time.
"That is the reason why we will also present our manifesto," he said.
A vigil will be held on Tuesday night with leaders of the ANC and its alliance
partners scheduled to speak. The leaders will also address people on Wednesday.
The KwaZulu-Natal police said maintaining security would be a priority.
"Strict measures have been put into place to ensure that the general public, the
business community and the supporters are protected prior to, during and after
the court case," said Senior Superintendent Henry Budhram.
He said some roads around the High Court would be closed. This would be assessed
during the day.
"The police will endeavour to ensure that normal activities proceed unhindered
outside the immediate vicinity of the Pietermaritzburg High Court."
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With acknowledgements to Cape Argus.