Radio station axes Zuma song
2006-02-09 20:27
Johannesburg - Complaints by Ukhozi FM listeners had led to the withdrawal from its playlist of a song expressing support for former deputy president Jacob Zuma, the SABC said on Thursday.
"Zuma is facing serious charges of corruption and rape.
"Nobody is entitled to state an unqualified fact that he is guilty or innocent.
"This fact does not change simply because the assertion is made in a song," said SABC chief executive Dali Mpofu.
Loosely translated, the lyrics to the song, Msholozi by Izinganizoma, are: "Everybody says they want Zuma to rule...
"Madiba said Zuma would become president at the end of his term... charges against Zuma must be withdrawn so that he can lead government".
The public broadcaster supported the KwaZulu-Natal radio station's decision to shelve the song, as it pre-judged a matter that was to be heard in court, said Mpofu.
Internal investigation into complaints
He emphasised that the song had not been "banned", but provisionally taken off Ukhozi FM's play list by the station's management.
An internal investigation into listeners' complaints about the song would follow.
Zuma's rape trial starts in Johannesburg High Court on Monday.
The Congress of SA Trade Unions and SA Communist Party in KwaZulu-Natal earlier this week threatened mass action against the SABC in the next two weeks in connection with its coverage of Zuma.
Cosatu said it was unhappy, among other things, about the SABC's "banning" of the song.
- SAPA