Scorpions+raid+of+Cde+Zuma,+SACP+statement

Thursday, August 18, 2005

SACP statement on the Scorpions’ raid of Cde Jacob Zuma’s residences
The SACP has learnt with concern of today’s Scorpions raids of the two private residential houses of ANC Deputy President, Cde Jacob Zuma, in Johannesburg and at Inkandla, and offices of other individuals thought to be associated with him, including his two lawyers’ offices in Durban and Johannesburg.

As the SACP we wish to reiterate some of the positions we have adopted since the allegations of corruption against Cde Zuma first emerged. We reiterate our condemnation of the pronouncement of a prima facie case against Cde Zuma, but the NPA not charging him. This, as subsequently confirmed by the public protector, constituted a serious violation of the rights and dignity of Cde Zuma, and created a humiliating situation of being tried through the media, and subsequently found “guilty” in a court in absentia.

We have consistently said that the organs of our justice system must apply the law, without fear or favour, irrespective of the individual involved. At the same time we have emphasized that the manner in which they carry out this duty must be above reproach and not to be seen as being used to settle political scores.

Recently our Central Committee endorsed the positions adopted by the recent ANC NGC on Cde Zuma, and further called for a fair and speedy trial. In addition we have emphasized that during this time, Cde JZ must be treated with dignity, respect and demeanour as our former Deputy President, and current Deputy President of the ANC.

We must however outrightly condemn the manner in which the Scorpions raid into the Johannesburg home of Cde Zuma was carried out. Whilst the Scorpions have a right to search and seize as per legal search warrants, to approach the house of Cde Zuma fully armed is inconsistent with the fair and respectable manner with which a person of his stature should be treated. The subsequent potentially explosive incident of confrontation between members of the Presidential Protection Unit and the armed Scorpions units is something that should be avoided given what is already a highly charged political atmosphere around the issue of the Deputy President of the ANC.

Whilst the legal processes must be left to the organs of justice, the SACP is seriously concerned about the raids into the offices of Cde Zuma’s lawyers. Cde Zuma is already an accused and must enjoy confidential exchanges with his lawyers. Such actions unfortunately feed into an already widespread perception that Cde Zuma won’t get a fair trial, and that his is a political trial.

The SACP calls upon our organs of the justice system to act in a manner that builds the confidence of our people in the entire system

The SACP however wishes to state that in the wake of some of recent developments (the COSATU Central Committee resolutions, the announcement by the ANC to seek a bilateral with COSATU) an urgent high-level Tripartite Alliance meeting must be convened to discuss all the developments surrounding the ANC Deputy President. The aim of this meeting would be to work towards finding a common approach to handle all the sensitivities surrounding this matter and provide the much-needed leadership to the movement and all its components. The SACP is confident that we can find ways of dealing with all these issues, particularly if we all accept that we have a potentially divisive matter in our hands, and work collectively to provide leadership and resolve the matter.


 * Issued by: Blade Nzimande, SACP General Secretary**


 * CONTACT:**
 * Kaizer Mohau, Media Liaison Officer**
 * South African Communist Party (SACP)**

Tel: 011 339 3621/2 Fax: 011 339 4244/6880 Cell: 082 805 1085

 * Email: Kaizer@sacp.org.za**