Deputy President Jacob Zuma took a swipe at the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) on Friday evening, saying three years was a long time for it to fail to find any evidence of wrongdoing or corruption against him.
The deputy president was referring to the three-year probe into allegations he was involved in corruption related to South Africa’s multibillion-rand arms deal.
In a speech prepared for delivery in Cape Town at the launch of the city’s Moral Regeneration Movement, he said the investigators had found no evidence against him because there was none.
The investigation was carried out for the NPA by the Scorpions.
”I have said before, and I repeat, that three years is a long time for any investigating authority to fail to find wrongdoing or corruption, if it really existed.
”The investigators found no evidence of wrongdoing relating to the arms deal simply because there was no wrongdoing.
”I have embarked on a process to clear my name and to correct the lies and distortions that have dominated the media in recent months.
”Whatever it takes, the lies and real motives behind the lies must be exposed,” Zuma said.
South Africa’s democracy was solid, and had passed all tests since 1994.
”The heated political or legal debates in the public arena should not be viewed as an indication of a nation or government that is under siege, or facing any insurmountable crisis.
”The government has continued to function properly and efficiently at all levels, despite the media frenzy about corruption or spying allegations.
”We will continue to serve the people of this country, and to put them first before everything else. That is our primary task,” he said. — Sapa