Zuma ruling 'dents' Mbeki

2008-09-12 22:42

Cape Town - Judge Chris Nicholson's statements suggesting the National Prosecution Authority's (NPA) investigation of ANC president Jacob Zuma may have been influenced politically have dented President Thabo Mbeki's reputation, analysts said on Friday.

"It has tainted Mbeki's legacy and consolidated the view that Zuma was a victim of political conspiracy," political analyst Adam Habib said.

However, while it had done tremendous damage to Mbeki's reputation, it was not all doom and gloom for him. The breakthrough in his mediation efforts in Zimbabwe could help mend his damaged reputation.

"He success in Zimbabwe will rescue his legacy," Habib said.

Durban-based political analyst Protas Madlala said the judgment left Mbeki's legacy hanging by a "thin thread".

"His backside has been badly exposed here at home, he has committed just too many blunders," Madlala said.

The judgment meant Mbeki had to ensure that his mediation efforts in Zimbabwe were successful, if there was to be anything positive about his time in office.

"Otherwise he has left a bad legacy here at home - for now his only hope is Zimbabwe," Madlala said.

Earlier on Friday, Pietermaritzburg High Court Judge Chris Nicholson declared the NPA's decision to prosecute Zuma, taken in December last year, invalid.

Among other things, he said he was not convinced that Zuma was incorrect in averring political meddling in his prosecution. He called the timing of the decision "unfortunate".

"Of importance to the applicant [Zuma] was the fact that [National Director of Public Prosecutions Vusi] Pikoli's replacement, Mr [Mokotedi] Mpshe, who had to decide his [Zuma's] fate, must have realised that to disobey the executive would in all probability ensure his own professional demise.

"The timing of the indictment by Mr Mpshe on 28 December 2007, after the president suffered a political defeat at Polokwane was most unfortunate.

"This factor, together with the suspension of Mr Pikoli, who was supposed to be independent and immune from executive interference, persuade me that the most plausible inference is that the baleful political influence was continuing.

"For years the applicant is under threat of prosecution for serious corruption and yet never brought to trial. There is a ring of the works of [Franz] Kafka about this," Nicholson said.

- SAPA