What if Zuma goes to jail?

2008-09-04 14:42

Johannesburg - The Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) is considering becoming a friend of the court if ANC president Jacob Zuma opts to apply for a stay of prosecution in his corruption investigation later this year, the trade union body said on Thursday.

"Cosatu, together with other civil society organisations, may apply to be amicus [curiae] on 27, 28 November, to give evidence in support of Jacob Zuma's case that he will not be able to receive a fair trial," general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said.

Vavi said Cosatu would consult with other bodies to drum up support for this and would include the ANC, the SA Communist Party, the ANC Youth League, the SA Council of Churches and Business Unity SA among bodies to be approached.

"We would like to get everybody to join in and apply," he said.

On September 12, Judge Chris Nicholson will deliver judgment on whether the State acted in terms of the law by proceeding with the trial against Zuma without consulting him before deciding to recharge him.

Zuma's legal team intends also asking the court for a permanent stay of prosecution on the November date.

Concerns if Zuma goes to prison

Vavi said he had heard concerns about how workers may react if Zuma is ever sent to prison.

He said the union body would try to channel the anger of its members in a disciplined way should this ever happen.

The issues of a potential economic impact also weighed heavily on Cosatu's mind.

Vavi said Cosatu's involvement was not a campaign against the judiciary "but in defence of the right of the individual we believe has been undermined".

- SAPA