COSATU+on+charging+of+JZ

COSATU statement – 20 June 2005
=Jacob Zuma and mass action against job losses= The Congress of South African Trade Unions notes the decision of the National Prosecuting Authority to charge former deputy president Jacob Zuma on two counts of corruption. COSATU reaffirms its opposition to any form of corruption and the misuse of power, and pledges its support to the authorities in prosecuting anyone against whom they have evidence of corruption. It also however reaffirms its strong belief that anyone is innocent until proved guilty, and condemns any attempt to discredit anyone who has not been convicted of any offence. COSATU therefore welcomes the fact that Jacob Zuma is now being given the opportunity to defend himself in court and rebut the charges and allegations levelled against him. We hope that in appointing a judge, the authorities will be sensitive to some of the issues raised during the Shaik trial and not select a judge with a controversial background. Given that the matter is now sub-judice, COSATU will not be making any further comment. In a separate decision, COSATU has cancelled the meeting of its Central Executive Committee scheduled for this week. This was done in order to concentrate all our efforts into organising the mass stayaway against job losses which is to take place on Monday 27 June. Congress of South African Trade Unions 1-5 Leyds Cnr Biccard Streets Braamfontein, 2017 P.O.Box 1019 Johannesburg, 2000 South Africa Cell: 082 491 1591 Tel: +27 11 339-4911/24 Fax: +27 11 339-5080/6940 E-Mail: patrick@cosatu.org.za**
 * //A media conference to give a briefing on this mass action has been organized for Thursday 23 June at 10,00 at COSATU House, 1 Leyds Street, Braamfontein.//**
 * Paul Notyhawa (Spokesperson)