No word on Zuma meeting
2005-08-24 19:55
Johannesburg - There was no word on Wednesday night on progress made at a tripartite alliance meeting held to discuss calls to drop corruption charges against former deputy president Jacob Zuma.
The meeting between senior members of the African National Congress, the Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) and the SA Communist Party (SACP) started at the ANC headquarters, Luthuli House, in Johannesburg at about 15:00.
A handful of reporters and cameramen standing outside Luthuli House also saw government communication and information system head Joel Netshitenzhe and Young Communist League president David Masondo.
ANC spokesperson Steyn Speed said at 19:30 that he was not sure if the alliance members were still meeting.
"If the meeting decides that it is necessary to issue a statement, it will do so," he said.
Spokespersons from Cosatu and the SACP had their cellphones switched off.
Those attending the meeting included SACP general secretary Blade Nzimande, ANC Youth League president Fikile Mbalula and Cosatu president Willie Madisha.
The delegates were driven straight into the parkade of the building.
The gathering came after Cosatu's central committee resolved to call on President Thabo Mbeki to ensure corruption charges against Zuma were dropped.
It also wants Mbeki to reinstate Zuma as his deputy.
Some Cosatu members believe there is a politically-inspired conspiracy to stop Zuma from becoming the next president of the ANC because he is seen to be too close to the working class.
"(It) is a meeting of leaders which will have to find a solution... to unite the alliance," Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi told reporters on Tuesday.
- SAPA