Deputy President Jacob Zuma faced yet another barrage of questions on Wednesday on the corruption allegations against him — this time in the National Assembly — and again rejected suggestions he step down.
In a virtual repeat of Tuesday’s questioning in the National Council of Provinces, Zuma was asked whether, in light of the allegations against him, he would relinquish his responsibilities for the moral regeneration campaign.
He again said his understanding was that a person had the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
”In this instance no one has been found guilty of anything. Allegations have been made and investigated.
”According to the National Director of Public Prosecutions [Bulelani Ngcuka] and the senior counsel he consulted, I will not be prosecuted because they do not think there is a winnable case,” he said.
”As far as I am concerned, I know I have not engaged in any immoral activities and therefore do not see the need to relinquish my responsibilities in the moral regeneration movement.”
Asked by the Democratic Alliance’s Sakkie Blanche whether he had fulfilled his moral and legal obligations of declaring all income, gifts and sponsorships in both the register of members’ interests, and in terms of the executive ethics code, Zuma said: ”As far as I remember, I have.”
Pressed by DA leader Tony Leon to state whether the issue had not weakened his capacity to continue with his duties, Zuma replied he had not been ”weakened by anything, because he has committed no crime”.
Therefore, he would not relinquish any position or responsibility.
”There is absolutely no need for that,” Zuma said.
Ngcuka announced some weeks ago that Zuma would not face prosecution for anything related to the multimillion-rand arms deal, despite there being prima facie evidence against him.
Zuma has accused Ngcuka of finding him guilty without having the necessary evidence. — Sapa
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