Internet users want Zuma out
2005-06-03 10:12
Cape Town - An overwhelming number of internet users in South Africa believe that deputy president, Jacob Zuma, should step down.
In an online poll run on News24.com, 95% of the site's users said the public have lost their faith in Zuma, and that he should resign. Over 2 000 users participated in the poll.
The poll was posted on the site as Zuma's former financial adviser, Shabir Shaik was found guilty of corruption and fraud for paying R1.3m to Zuma between 1995 and 2001 and for brokering a bribe from a French arms company for the deputy president.
After News24.com broke the story of Shaik's conviction, responses from users began flooding in, and nearly 200 letters were received within hours.
In line with the poll results, the majority of letters received called emphatically for Zuma's resignation:
Leaders are there to set a positive example - he was placed in a position of trust and he abused it. He should be dismissed and be charged with corruption. - Cecil
I believe that Shaik is as guilty as sin, and I am relieved to say the least, that justice has finally prevailed. For once our judiciary system has NOT been made a mockery of. Let this be a lesson to all corrupt individuals, and lets start stamping out corruption, 'because it is this particular crime that is crippling our country! - Stuart
Yes, the deputy president must step down with immediate effect to save himself from further embarrassment. Clearly, the man is corrupt and should be convicted too and we cannot afford have such a corrupt person leading the high office in our land. -SBSS Nkosi
I strongly believe that Mr Zuma should step down since it is obvious he is guilty, the facts are all there. He should do this to save the integrity of his office and of the South African government as a whole. What is totally beyond me is why we are still discussing whether he should be prosecuted? - Kelvin
For the life of me, how on earth can anyone facing such an avalanche of allegations for so long, remain in public office? He should have resigned yonks ago and saved himself all the heartache and maybe he would have got some sympathies from the masses. I am proud to be South African, proud to live in a country where everyone is equal before the law. It would be a sad day if this matter were to be swept under the carpet and Jacob Zuma one day became president. - Juluka
A small percentage of users did, however, stand in Zuma's defence.
Deputy president Jacob Zuma must be recognised for his composure skills in containing himself despite ongoing media trials. He remained cool because he was "implicated" but not accused. He therefore stands blameless and must be seen to take his rightful place after President Mbeki as South Africa's next president. - Kgamphe
No he should not step down as doing so, he will be doing exactly what the enemies of the ANC want. Which is to disrupt the programme of the ANC of totally liberating the masses of this country in all respects. With this case they are trying to shift attention and give the ANC a new agenda drafted in a remote control by them. Jacob Zuma should therefore not step down. - Jane
Standing on the steps in front of the Durban high Court after the trial, national prosecuting authority, Makhosini Nkosi said, "The national director (Vusi Pikoli) will need to consider the judgment."
"If there is anything to be done about it (Zuma) ... it will be done."
Zuma was visiting his counterpart in Zambia at the time of the judgment, but issued the following statement, "There was an investigation done and it said there was no case, so I have not been in court."
"I will certainly be studying the judgment and I think that is what I can say," Zuma said. - Sapa/News24
- News24