Deputy President Jacob Zuma called on delegates at the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) national congress on Tuesday to defend the country and freedom against what he called counter-revolutionaries.
”It is our duty as the tripartite alliance to deepen democracy in South Africa and defend the country against fly-by-night counter-revolutionaries because no one will do that on our behalf,” said Zuma in his unscheduled address at the congress in Midrand.
”As the congress deliberates on issues, you must ask how should we move forward, how do we fight against corruption, misuse of power and counter-revolutionaries.”
Zuma has been dogged by controversy since National Director of Public Prosecution Bulelani Ngcuka announced the deputy president would not face prosecution for anything related to a multimillion-rand arms deal, despite there being prima facie evidence against him. The deputy president has accused Ngcuka of finding him guilty of corruption without having the necessary evidence.
Opposition political parties have asked Zuma to step down following allegations that Durban businessman Schabir Shaik paid him nearly R1,2-million between 1995 and last year. It is alleged that most payments can be traced back to arms-deal beneficiaries.
Zuma, who arrived at the congress an hour after President Thabo Mbeki, said the alliance should work on creating more conducive conditions for workers and all of its citizens.
”The ANC, to which the majority of us here are members, has an objective in the alliance to fight and protect the freedom all of us attained.”
He said the SACP was equally important to the alliance as other members. The alliance comprises the African National Congress (ANC), the South African Communist Party (SACP) and Cosatu.
”They (SACP) have their own destination. When the ANC arrived at its destination, which was to democratise the country for the betterment of all its citizens, the SACP said it will not stop its journey once socialism has been achieved,” Zuma said.
”This does not mean, as our distracters say, the alliance is in conflict with itself. This only signifies the variety of ideologies which form up the tripartite alliance.”
Zuma received a standing ovation after his off the cuff address and adorned a blanket that had the labour federation’s logo and trademark.
Earlier on Tuesday, proceedings at the congress were briefly interrupted as Cosatu members sang liberation songs to welcome Zuma’s arrival at the meeting.
The ululating and cheering members chanted slogans supporting Zuma while some walked up to the podium to greet the deputy president.
Once again delegates sang a song denouncing National Prosecution Authority (NPA) head Bulelani Ngcuka.
”Ngcuka uvulela impi, ubiza umlo,” (Ngcuka you are calling for war), sang the group outside the entrance of the congress venue.
”Wena ulawula ama Scorpions sitshele ukuthi uZuma wethu wenzeni?” (Head of the Scorpions tell us what our leader has done?)
Ngcuka and Zuma have been at loggerheads ever since the elite detective unit announced it was investigating Zuma on bribery allegations related to the controversial arms deal. – Sapa