“No one should be able to use South African courts ‘as kangaroo courts’ to persecute individuals.” — Fikile Mbalula, ANC youth league president
“There is a lot of political concern because of uncertainty about the ANC leadership and the presidency of the country. So a lot of offshore players are getting out of their long rand positions and buying dollars.” — An unidentified Rand Merchant Bank currency dealer
Halala [well done] Mshlozi!” — An unnamed motorist in Johannesburg
“The case has been struck off the roll because they don’t have evidence. Mshlozi must be reinstated as the deputy president. He has done nothing wrong.” — Gauteng resident Thokozani Nkosi
“Liphelile [it’s over]. I am very happy, that is why I am singing. The judge’s decision calls for a celebration. He was innocent. He will not be recharged because they don’t have a case against him. Free him to be the country’s president!” — A woman who gave her name as Sophie
“The ANC accepts this ruling … we believe that due process has taken its course and we therefore accept the ruling.” — Smuts Ngonyama, African National Congress spokesperson
“There is a difference between rumour-mongering and actual justice in a court of law … for today, justice prevails.” — Zwelinzima Vavi, Cosatu secretary general.
“We are going to celebrate now. When we opened this congress we said we are smelling a victory.” — Vavi at the Cosatu congress in Midrand.
“I feel great about it!” — Ben Khoza, president of the National Union of Metalworkers
“We’ve won the second round. The third round-we’ll get it!” — an unnamed delegate at the Cosatu congress
“This is judicial nonsense … if they have a case against Zuma they should have prosecuted him, and if they don’t they should let him go.” Koos Van der Merwe, Inkatha Freedom Party spokesperson
“Zuma is not arrogant and is able to connect with the people far better than Mbeki, who in turn isn’t very comfortable with Zuma’s popularity.” — Political commentator Professor Sipho Seepe
” … but reinstated as deputy president? Definitely not.” — Professor Shadrack Gutto, centre for African Renaissance Studies, Unisa
“They should just leave the old man alone because they are troubling him.” — Gauteng resident Jimmy Majeke
“I am worried that he is going to become the next president.” — Gauteng resident Carnata Mode
“I am not happy. There is no smoke without a fire. The case confuses me.” — Gateung resident Sazi Menye
“I don’t think it is fair that he could not prove himself innocent or guilty.” — Gauteng resident Lihle Masilela
“I am very excited about the outcome because I love him.” — Gauteng resident Lindi Ntuli
“He belongs in jail.” — Gauteng resident Gerrie Kleu
“God seems to hear our prayers. No government will ever succeed without taking forward the mandate of the people.” — Winnie Madikizela-Mandela at the Cosatu congress.
“They portrayed me as if I had horns, tail and I walk on four legs.” — Zuma talking about the media tarnishing his image.
“I told you in the beginning that I had done no crime … I say it today and I will say it tomorrow!” — Jacob Zuma
“The outcome does not surprise us. This highlights the weakness in our police investigative system and that of evidence gathering … The state had enough time-but wasted it!” — Kenneth Meshoe, African Christian democratic Party.
“The decision is not the end of the road for the corruption case; it’s a temporary reprieve rather than absolution.” — Sheila Camerer Democratic Alliance justice spokesperson.
“Too much truimphalism on the part of Mr Zuma’s supporters would be misplaced.” — Sheila Camerer Democratic Alliance justice spokesperson
“It is difficult to work out Zuma’s political future because the trial has not yet entirely collapsed.” — Steven Friedman, political analyst.
“I am very happy for Zuma!” — Schabir Shaik
“Sukani ku Mshlozi bathakati (Witches, leave Mshlozi alone!)” — Filile Mbalula, ANC youth league president
“I always believed that Zuma was innocent. Now that this court case is over Mslozi can concentrate on canvassing to be our next president and we are going to vote for him.” — Soweto resident Albert Sechaba (39)
“Zuma is a high-profile person and if it was someone else, his case would have been tried in court. I feel that his case being struck from the role was not fair.” — Dobsonville resdient Lindiwe Dube (40)
“If the court can’t find anything to use to pin Zuma, that means he’s free. I hope he doesn’t have any hopes of becoming our state president.” — Mother well Thandiswa Meke (43)
“Do you mean to tell me the court has kept us in suspense for so long only to say they don’t have a case against Zuma? Something is wrong here.” — Ezinyoka informal settlement resident Mveleli Maso (33)
“Zuma’s guilty and he must appear in court. He must explain the charges against him. He won’t be the next president because he’s not a good man — he’s a rapist. My wish is that a woman is the next president.” — Cambridge Location resident Norma Tsibani (30)
“I’d like to see Zuma in court to face those charges — I think he’s guilty.” — Cambridge Location resident Isaac Matayo (40)
“Everything said about him was aimed to discredit him and deprive him a of the chance of being SA’s next president … I am only one of thousands of people who want him as the next president.” — Rocklands resident Palesa Ramoshebi (22)
“If Zuma is free then we are a free nation.” — KwaZulu-Natal resident Zwelakhe Ngcobo (38)
“Zuma was always going to be freed … Oil and water do not mix, and lies can always be separated from the truth … Some people cooked up a plot to tarnish Zuma’s image.” — Harding resident Ntonjana Njokweni (45)