While the African National Congress supported President Thabo Mbeki’s decision to release Deputy President Jacob Zuma from his duties, the ANC’s labour federation ally said it was ”devastated”.
”This is a very, very trying moment for the movement as a whole,” said the Congress of SA Trade Unions’ general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi.
He said he was ”devastated” and his heart went out to the deputy president, his family and his colleagues.
He said Zuma was not ”just another fellow, not just another man,” he was ”Msholozi himself” (Zuma’s clan name).
The SA National Youth Council brought traffic to a standstill in central Durban shortly after the announcement was made, toyi-toyiing in support of Zuma and calling for him to be made president.
But the ANC said it recognised the decision had been made after careful consideration and was in the interests of democracy, effective governance, and with due regard to the integrity of all the institutions of the constitutional order.
”The ANC understands this decision has been taken following careful consideration, in the best interests of democracy and effective governance, and with due regard to the integrity of all the institutions of our constitutional order,” the ANC National Working Committee said in a statement after Mbeki announced the dismissal of Zuma.
Mbeki’s decision followed Zuma’s implication in the fraud and corruption case involving his former financial advisor, Schabir Shaik.
Mbeki said as president he had come to the conclusion that the circumstances dictated that in the interest of the deputy president, the Government, the young democratic system and the country, ”it would be best to release the Honourable Jacob Zuma from his responsibilities…”
ANC spokesperson Smuts Ngonyama said the ANC reaffirmed that the Deputy President and the entire leadership of the Alliance accepted and supported the decision of the president, negating fears that Mbeki’s decision had caused rifts within the Alliance.
”This decision is also consistent with the principle of the rule of the law – including the right to presumption of innocence until proven otherwise,” he said.
Democratic Alliance leader Tony Leon said Mbeki has shown courage and by his decision had led the country to victory.
”He faced a choice between two difficult paths. Each had its political costs. Yet in the end he chose to uphold principle over politics.
”By so doing, he has led us to a great victory for our young democracy,” he said.
He added: ”This day will be remembered as a landmark in our nation’s history,” he said. – Sapa