ANC promises no disruptions

2008-08-25 21:10

Durban - There will be no disruptions to the courts in KwaZulu-Natal because of protests in support of ANC president Jacob Zuma, the party said on Monday.

ANC provincial secretary general Senzo Mchunu said reports that the judicial system in the province would be disrupted were unfounded.

"Why would the ANC do that?" he asked.

Earlier in the day it was reported that the ANC planned to embark on rolling mass action in a bid to get the National Prosecuting Authority to drop charges against Zuma.

The Mercury newspaper reported that normal operations at police stations and the courts could be disrupted as result of the planned mass action.

Mchunu said that at the ANC's recent provincial congress there had been a call to the party's various regions to come up with a plan to persuade the authorities to withdraw the case against the party leader.

March to Scorpions' office

"The region has come up with their plan. We have said they can go ahead."

While he did not divulge all the details he said that the eThekwini region's plan did include a march on the Scorpions offices in Durban. It was not clear when this would happen.

"We just want to sensitise people to the issues. Most victims of ignorance are the ordinary people. We are saying this is an opportunity to educate them (about the Scorpions)."

He said that other regions in the province would still be coming up with their own plans in a bid to persuade the NPA to drop charges against Zuma.

NPA spokesperson Tlali Tlali declined to comment on the reports.

Earlier in the day police ruled out any involvement in the protests or disruptions to its services.

KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Director Phindile Radebe said: "We are essential services. Anything that will disrupt our duties to the community cannot be allowed."

Not aware of mass action

Police & Prisons Civil Rights Union national spokesperson Benzi Soko said he was not aware of the planned protest action.

"Police officers are by law not allowed to embark on industrial action. As stipulated in the Constitution, we are an essential service. We respect the Constitution."

Soko said a recent labour court judgment had ruled that police were an essential service and therefore barred them from engaging in industrial action.

KwaZulu-Natal Judge President Vuka Tshabalala told Sapa that he had not heard about the planned mass action. Speaking from Beijing, he said he would comment further once he had returned to the country.

On September 12 Judge Chris Nicholson is set to hand down his ruling on Zuma's application to have the National Director of Public Prosecutions' decision to prosecute him declared unlawful.

His application for a permanent stay of prosecution is due to be heard on November 27 and 28.

His co-accused, Thint Holdings (Southern Africa) Pty Ltd and Thint (Pty) Ltd, will have their application for a stay of prosecution heard on November 25 and 26.

- SAPA