Zuma: 'SA should be worried'

2008-08-01 14:00

Johannesburg - South Africa should be worried about the implications of Jacob Zuma's Constitutional Court ruling, the Mkhonto we Sizwe Veterans Association (MKVA) said on Friday.

The country's highest court earlier in the week ruled that documents seized from the home and offices of the African National Congress president can form part of his high court trial on 16 counts including fraud and money-laundering.

The Constitutional Court upheld a ruling by the Supreme Court of Appeal declaring the warrants for the search and seizures lawful.

Speaking at the launch of a signature campaign on behalf of Zuma, MKVA chairperson Kebby Maphatsoe said the organisation always believed that the ANC president's case was a political one masquerading as a criminal case.

"What is even more perplexing is that the (Constitutional) court took this long to decide on whether to uphold the Supreme Court (of Appeal) ruling or not", he said.

"The timing of this was very interesting, it is made on the eve of the president's (Zuma's) appearance in the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Monday."

The signature campaign includes an SMS service where members of the public who believe Zuma is being treated unfairly can send messages.

SMS'es will be charged at R3 each.

However, MKVA general secretary Ayanda Dlodlo said it had not yet been decided who will benefit from the proceeds.

The campaign will also be supported by a physical signature campaign targeting taxi ranks, bus stations, workplaces, railway stations and tertiary educational institutions.

- SAPA