Hundreds of students on Friday marched to the country’s highest court to demand the dropping of corruption charges against embattled presidential hopeful Jacob Zuma.
The protesters, aged between 15 and 18, were members of the Congress of South African Students, a student body affiliated to the ruling African National Congress party (ANC), headed by Zuma.
”We want to raise our discontent about the continued manipulation and abuse of the judicial system against the president of the ANC, Jacob Zuma,” said student leader Kenny Motshegoa.
”We want the court to intervene in what seems like a sustained campaign to tarnish comrade Zuma’s name using the state organs. His corruption charges are political and we demand that they be dropped,” he added.
The high school students, who missed classes to take part in the march, danced and chanted slogans.
Zuma, who toppled President Thabo Mbeki as ANC leader last December, faces corruption charges.
In June, the ANC Youth League leader, Julius Malema, stirred national concern when he told a rally that the youth were prepared to ”kill” for Zuma if he went to jail, although he later retracted.
A high court early this month ruled that it will decide in September whether to throw out the corruption case that could sink Zuma’s presidential hopes.
He is facing more than a dozen charges, ranging from money-laundering to racketeering, and has said he would stand down if convicted. — AFP
