ANC to support Zuma's court bid

PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA - Jul 29 2008 17:12

The African National Congress will support party president Jacob Zuma's Pietermaritzburg High Court bid to have his corruption trial declared invalid, a spokesperson said on Tuesday.

Addressing reporters at the Loftus Versfeld stadium, Jessie Duarte said it had been decided at the party's national working committee meeting on Monday that the party's leaders would be at the court next week.

Zuma's application was expected to be heard by the court on Monday and Tuesday.

"He must be treated fairly and justly," said Duarte.

The fact that the scope of the charges brought against Zuma had been broadened since the previous indictment to include tax matters, gave weight to the view that the ANC president was being persecuted rather than merely prosecuted, she said.

Zuma had been subjected to a trial within the media while his rights had repeatedly been violated by institutions such as the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

The party did not seek special treatment for Zuma but that he be treated fairly, Duarte said.

'He will lead us from prison'
Julius Malema, the ANC Youth League president, said recently that Zuma would lead the organisation from prison if he was ever arrested.

"If you arrest him, he will lead us from prison," said Malema.

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However, he said the country should spare itself the embarrassment. Malema repeated that there was no case against Zuma and that the ANC president would be South Africa's next president.

Zuma is involved in a legal battle with the NPA regarding his indictment on charges that include allegations of racketeering, corruption, money laundering and fraud. - Sapa

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