ANC plans own Zuma court bid
2008-09-11 16:12
Cape Town - The African National Congress is planning its own court bid to permanently quash the prosecution of its President Jacob Zuma, the party announced on Thursday.
The news comes as tension mounts ahead of Friday's Pietermaritzburg High Court ruling on an application by Zuma to have the decision to prosecute him on corruption and other charges declared unlawful.
His separate bid for a permanent stay of prosecution is to be heard in November.
"The ANC national working committee has decided that the ANC would itself pursue the prospects of an application for a permanent stay of prosecution," ANC spokesperson Jessie Duarte said in a statement.
"Legal counsel is being engaged on the matter."
Zuma faces charges of racketeering, corruption, money laundering and fraud related to the multi-billion rand arms deal.
The Congress of South African Tarde Unions (Cosatu) said last week that it and other civil society organisations might apply to give evidence at the November hearing in support of Zuma's argument that he would not be able to get a fair trial.
The ANC Youth League has said it intends bringing an application for a stay of prosecution if Zuma's own bid fails.
Duarte said in Thursday's statement that "thousands" of people were expected to gather outside the Pietermaritzburg court on Friday to demonstrate support for Zuma.
They would include leaders of the ANC and its alliance partners, she said.
On Wednesday a pro-Zuma demonstration in Durban was broken up by police with shotguns when it turned rowdy.
However, Duarte said the ANC was confident that the Pietermaritzburg "demonstration" would be peaceful and orderly.
"It is regrettable that among the thousands of disciplined demonstrators in Durban yesterday, there were a few individuals who engaged in disruptive behaviour.
"In showing our support, we call on our members and supporters to display discipline befitting the character, ideals, courage and stature of president Zuma."
She said the ANC was firmly committed to the rule of law and would not condone any disruption or acts of violence during demonstrations.
The party also appeals to the police to exercise restraint in dealing with demonstrators.
- SAPA