African National Congress deputy president Jacob Zuma has described the controversy around him as a challenge to South Africa’s Constitution.
The test was how these matters were being handled, he told Metro FM in an interview on Tuesday.
”I’m saying that things that are happening are a challenge to our democracy, a challenge to our Constitution, a challenge to our political maturity, a challenge to the understanding of the nation as a whole. How then do we then deal with the situation, I think, that’s what I’m saying,” Zuma said.
”And in no way can you have a country that does not go through challenges at a given time. I think the test is how do you address those issues in order to find an appropriate solution.”
President Thabo Mbeki fired Zuma as South Africa’s deputy president in July after he was found by the Durban High Court to have had a generally corrupt relationship with his friend and former financial adviser Schabir Shaik.
Zuma was then charged on two counts of corruption.
The Congress of SA Trade Unions and other Zuma supporters have since insisted that the charges against the former deputy president be withdrawn.
Some suggested the case against Zuma formed part of a conspiracy to prevent him from succeeding Mbeki as president.
On Tuesday, Zuma again condemned ANC members for burning T-shirts bearing the face of Mbeki, but he expressed confidence that they would stop this conduct.
”I am sure people are going to understand… because we are giving leadership,” he said.
”Those who have done it in the past might not have heard us… We have a collective voice on the matter and I don’t think they will continue to do so.” – Sapa