Former deputy president Jacob Zuma said on Tuesday he is humbled by the support South Africa has given him since allegations of corruption were first levelled against him.
”I am humbled by the support of the people in the country,” he told reporters on the sidelines of a Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) central committee meeting at Esselen Park, east of Johannesburg.
”They can see there has been an element of … victimisation … the support is well-founded.”
Cosatu reportedly resolved on Monday night to call on President Thabo Mbeki to prevent Zuma’s upcoming corruption trial from proceeding, in the belief that Zuma has been victimised.
Earlier in the day, Zuma addressed the meeting in his capacity as ANC deputy president, the only office he stills holds.
He told the conference there has to be unity in the tripartite alliance ahead of the local government elections.
”We must fight against ‘clique-alism’ and factionalism that can divide our movement,” Zuma emphasised.
He said cliques and factions are a disease that can only be fought through open discussion.
”If we shy away [from open discussion], we fertilise the ground for gossips … this is a disease we need to fight resolutely because we need to be united for the elections.”
Zuma said the alliance needs to discuss how prepared it is for the elections, because only a united force can succeed.
Later in the day, Cosatu will formally launch the Friends of Jacob Zuma Trust.
It is a collaborative effort between business, Cosatu and civil society to provide financial and moral support to Zuma before and during his upcoming corruption trial.
Zuma was fired after his friend and financial adviser Schabir Shaik was found guilty on two charges of corruption and one of fraud, all involving Zuma.
Zuma was subsequently charged with corruption as well, and goes on trial in the Durban High Court in October.
ANC to explain stance
Meanwhile, the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal will hold meetings across the province to explain the party’s stance on Zuma.
”We are not only going to expand our briefings to ANC members but other members of the community as well,” ANC provincial spokesperson Mtholephi Mthimkhulu said on Tuesday.
Mthimkhulu made the announcement after a meeting of the ANC’s provincial executive committee on Monday night.
He said the party will explain that the Shaik trial and the requirements of good governance had compelled President Thabo Mbeki to ”release comrade Zuma” from his government duties.
The ANC will ”emphatically make it clear” that Zuma remains the deputy president of the party, which has full confidence in him.
Mthimkhulu said there has been much confusion about Zuma’s ”release”, which the party wants to ”quell” with the series of meetings initially proposed by the provincial working committee.
In the latest incident on National Women’s Day, Zuma’s successor, Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, was unable to complete her speech at a gathering in Utrecht after people in the crowd booed her off the stage and chanted Zuma’s name.
Mthimkhulu also dispelled media reports that KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sibusiso Ndebele is under fire after Zuma’s sacking.
”Our chairperson [Ndebele] is in charge and is leading us in a very satisfactory way.”
Ndebele also faced the wrath of Zuma supporters at a Youth Day rally on June 16 when he was pelted with objects while the crowd chanted and sang for Zuma. — Sapa