Former president Nelson Mandela on Tuesday told journalists his successor had made the right decision to sack Deputy President Jacob Zuma.
”While we are naturally deeply saddened that Jacob Zuma, who had made such a major contribution to our liberation and democracy had to come to this point in his life and career, we fully support the President in this difficult time in the life of our government, nation and organisation.
”We are confident that President Thabo Mbeki will as always lead with wisdom and compassion, guiding our nation through these testing times and holding our organisation (the ANC) together,” Mandela said at a specially called press conference in Johannesburg.
He went on to wish Zuma well, and reiterated his important role in fighting apartheid.
”We join President Mbeki in paying tribute to Jacob Zuma for his contribution to our liberation and building of our democracy. We wish him well as he considers his future and want to reassure him of our continued friendship.”
Mandela refused to answer any questions.
Former president F W de Klerk also welcomed Thabo Mbeki’s ”principled decision” to sack Zuma.
”I particularly welcome the fact that President Mbeki based his decision squarely on the principles contained in the constitution and that he strongly upheld the independence of the judiciary,” he said.
De Klerk voiced ”great sympathy” for the difficult choice Mbeki had to make between an old an popular colleague and his duties in terms of the constitution.
”He chose correctly and in so doing greatly enhanced South Africa’s international standing and the credibility of the role that he is playing in Nepad (the New Partnership for Africa’s Development).”
Mbeki made the announcement about his deputy at a special joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament on Tuesday afternoon.
This was almost two weeks after Zuma was implicated in corruption during the Durban High Court trial of, Schabir Shaik, who acted as his financial advisor.
Last Wednesday, Business Day reported that Mandela was involved in a last-ditch attempt to save Zuma.
On June 7, Mandela’s spokesperson, Zelda le Grange, said Mandela had met senior government and ANC figures since Shaik was found guilty.
Le Grange would not be drawn on the outcome of Mandela’s meetings with the ANC top brass.
”Mandela is willing to give his opinion and advice to anyone in the ANC who needs it,” she said. – Sapa