South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) leader, Jacob Zuma, has denied allegations of corruption and vowed to fight charges laid against him in court, local media reported on Friday.
”I am innocent. I have not committed any crime. I will fight to the bitter end in the highest courts to prove that,” Zuma was quoted as saying in Beeld.
Zuma, who won the ANC leadership in an election last month against incumbent Thabo Mbeki, has been charged with corruption, fraud, money laundering and racketeering.
He has said the accusations were part of a political campaign against him.
The trial is set to start on August 4 and could overlap with national elections in 2009, adding to political uncertainty in Africa’s biggest economy.
It could also scupper his chances of succeeding Mbeki as national leader in 2009, prompting accusations from himself and his backers — powerful trade unions and the communist party — of a political witch-hunt.
A regional official from the Congress of South African Trade Unions warned this week that blood may ”be spilt” if the case proceeded, although a national spokesperson later said the group would never condone violence.
But Zuma urged calm should the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) proceed with the trial.
”No, no, no. That is exactly what I do not want. I do not want people to die or that shops and cars be set alight. I do not want any violence,” he said.
”I understand the anger of the people because I am also deeply unhappy by the latest move by the NPA. But there are other, legal ways in which they can make their opinions known and to express their displeasure.”
The indictment comes more than a year after an earlier corruption case collapsed on procedural grounds, although the NPA has continued to probe allegations he accepted bribes in connection with an arms deal involving a French company.
The charges include new allegations linked to dealings with his former financial adviser, Schabir Shaik, who is serving a 15-year sentence for fraud and corruption.
Mbeki fired Zuma as national deputy president in 2005, after Shaik’s conviction, sparking some of the worst infighting in the ANC’s history.
Meanwhile, South Africa is heading towards anarchy if the fairness of the looming corruption trial against Zuma is disputed, said the Democratic Alliance (DA) on Friday.
”Zuma’s trial will be held under the spotlight of the international community and media in an open court, presided over by a constitutionally entrenched independent judiciary.
”If South Africans do not believe this to be true, then we are on the slippery slope to anarchy,” said DA spokesperson Eddie Trent in a statement.
He said any suggestions that Zuma would not have a fair trial were ”nothing short of ridiculous”.
”In fact, believing this to be true is like believing that taking a shower will wash away the chance of contracting Aids.”
‘Hallmarks of vengeance’
The indictment served on Zuma was a continued violation of his human rights, Cosatu said last week. ”Cosatu strongly condemns the NPA, who yesterday [Friday], December 28 2007, served the ANC president, Jacob Zuma, with an indictment to stand trial on the August 14 2008 for allegations of corruption, fraud, racketeering and money laundering.
”It is clear that Jacob Zuma’s human rights, including the right to a speedy and fair trial, have been systematically and grossly violated,” the union said in a statement.
The timing of the indictment had the ”hallmarks of vengeance, deep-seated anger and frustration by the NPA and whoever else is behind this”.
”The only reason to serve the indictment during this period, for a trial that will only commence eight months from now, is that those behind this move [are aiming] to disrupt his well-deserved rest,” Cosatu said.
This reinforced the union’s belief that the graft probe against the president was a ”politically inspired campaign” using state institutions to settle ”factional” disputes within the ruling party.
”We are convinced that Jacob Zuma will not have a fair trial. We are in full support of his lawyer’s decision to apply for permanent stay of prosecution.”
Cosatu demanded a full investigation into the arms deal and for the charges against Zuma to be dropped. ‒ Reuters, Sapa