Tony Leon, the leader of the official opposition Democratic Alliance, hailed President Thabo Mbeki for showing courage and ”upholding principle over politics” in his decision to release Jacob Zuma from his duties as the deputy president.
Mbeki made the announcement during a special joint sitting of the two houses of Parliament on Tuesday afternoon.
This comes almost two weeks after Zuma was implicated in corruption during the Durban High Court trial of businessman Schabir Shaik, who acted as his financial advisor.
In a statement given to Mail & Guardian Online, Leon said Mbeki has led the nation to a great victory, citing former ANC president Albert Luthuli who said, ”What we need is the courage that rises with danger.”
”We have shown the world that South Africa is not among those nations who allow corruption to unravel the fabric of their country’s soul.”
”President Mbeki has lived up to the promise he made in this House three weeks ago, when he declared that our government will not be ‘undermined or compromised by corruption’, said Leon.
Leon said the the decision will be remembered as a ”landmark in our nation’s history”.
Leon cautioned that the fight against corruption is far from over — and that it is ”only beginning”.
He emphasised that the fight will not be put to rest until there was a full independent judicial investigation into the arms deal and the corruption at the heart of it.
”There are those who believe that the Honourable Jacob Zuma is the victim of a conspiracy. Only a complete examination of the facts can quell their fears.
”The president must fulfill the example he set here today, and shine the light of justice in every corridor of government until the trust of the people has been restored.”