Zumas+prosecution+could+lead+to+turmoil,+M+and+G


 * Zuma's prosecution 'could lead to turmoil'******

Mail & Guardian Online, Johannesburg, South Africa

=//18 August 2005 03:53//=

The prosecution of former deputy president Jacob Zuma could lead to turmoil in South Africa's democracy, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) warned on Thursday.

"The political prosecution of Jacob Zuma risks plunging our new democracy into turmoil," said Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi.

"It has already begun to divide our movement. We are in consistent contact with the African National Congress leadership and will seek to discuss this state of affairs as soon as we get the opportunity."

Vavi was reading a statement on behalf of the Cosatu central committee, which condemned the earlier raids on Zuma's residences on Thursday.

"The central committee unequivocally condemns the systematic, brutal persecution of Jacob Zuma by the National Prosecuting Authority [NPA].

Vavi said it is clear that the raids were a direct response to a resolution of the central committee asking President Thabo Mbeki to ensure that corruption charges against Zuma are dropped.

It also wants Mbeki to reinstate Zuma as deputy president of the country.

The raids provided more evidence that the NPA and the judicial system are capable of being manipulated and influenced to take biased political decisions and actions.

"We see this as an assault on our hard-won democratic gains.

"It is a full-frontal attack on our revolution itself."

Vavi said Cosatu will not be intimidated by what it called "political blackmail".

Instead, this blackmail only strengthens the federation's resolve to mobilise its members and society behind the resolutions.

He called on Zuma not to submit to the blackmail and intimidation, "including the use of the judiciary to carry out politically inspired raids".

The raids suggest that the NPA has no evidence against Zuma and is now clutching at straws, he said.

"The timing of the raids is a calculated provocation of the Cosatu central committee.

"This underscores the correctness of our conclusion that Jacob Zuma is facing a politically inspired trial and now persecution.

"His sin is to be loved by the working class and the poor." – Sapa

From: http://www.mg.co.za/articlepage.aspx?area=/breaking_news/breaking_news__national/&articleid=248477