Jacob Zuma’s backers are planning a range of activities aimed at drumming up support for the embattled African National Congress deputy president ahead of his corruption trial in the Pietermaritzburg High Court, starting on July 31.
Some of the activities aim to head off a possible postponement of the trial, which the state’s requested.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), the South African Communist Party and other organisations sympathetic to Zuma will pull out all the stops to bring Pietermaritzburg to a standstill on the day of the hearing.
The activities kicked off with a discussion in Durban hosted by the Democratic Professionals Association of South Africa, an organisation of black professionals supporting Zuma, about a review of the prerogative powers of President Thabo Mbeki.
On July 28, Cosatu members in KwaZulu-Natal plan to march to the offices of the National Prosecuting Authority in Durban to demand that Zuma’s trial commence on July 31 and should not be further postponed.
Cosatu provincial secretary Zet Luzipho said further postponement of the case could compromise Zuma, especially if his court battles are unconcluded by the ANC’s December 2007 conference, when Mbeki’s successor will be elected.
”By the time we get to the national conference of the ANC, Zuma might not be judged by delegates according to his abilities, but with the view that he is implicated in an ongoing corruption case.
”We are saying there should be no postponement or that the case should be dropped.”
Luzipho said it was clear that the corruption charges against Zuma were fabricated. ”It is now clear that [former Scorpions boss] Bulelani Ngcuka was right when he said a corruption case against Zuma was not winnable.”
In addition, a music festival named after Zuma’s favourite struggle song, Awulethe umshini wami, has been organised by the Friends of Jacob Zuma Trust and traditional music group Izingane Zoma for July 29 at the Kingsmead Stadium, Izingane Zoma’s song Bonke Abantu Bafuna uZuma (All the people want Zuma) was banned by the SABC’s Ukhozi FM after listeners complained about its divisive content.
The festival, which aims to help with Zuma’s legal fees, is the second involving the same group. One was also staged at the Jabulani Amphitheatre in Soweto ahead of the judgement in Zuma’s rape trial.
Meanwhile, the SACP has organised its 85th anniversary celebrations at Wadley Stadium near Edendale in Pietermaritzburg a day before Zuma’s court appearance.
SACP provincial secretary Themba Mthembu said Zuma has been invited to represent the ANC, along with other speakers from alliance organisations.
The activities will climax with an all-night vigil outside the Pietermaritzburg High Court ahead of Zuma’s court appearance.