Zuma zooms in on colleague

2003-08-24 21:28

Jan-Jan Joubert

Cape Town - Deputy president Jacob Zuma levelled a barely veiled threat on Sunday to take a fellow cabinet member and the director of public prosecutions to court.

Zuma said on Sunday that Ngcuka's statement was "equivalent to a judgment against him, after a long trial by media".

"The purpose of the latest public announcement is to leave a cloud hanging over my integrity. The hallowed principle of presumption of innocence until proven guilty has been completely ignored."

"The minister of justice also appeared on national television on Saturday 23 August, and told the nation it was a "sad moment" that the investigators have concluded that I have a case to answer. What is this case? Where should I answer it?"

He said he intended taking the matter further and would consult with his lawyers.

While Zuma insisted that the investigation into him was something of the past, it came to light on Sunday that the court case against Durban businessman Schabir Shaik, which starts on Monday, could hold the key to Zuma's future.

Sources close to the investigation said on Sunday that evidence from this case could provide the Scorpions with enough evidence to bring Zuma to book. Shaik manages Zuma's personal finances.

Zuma to remain deputy president

Meanwhile, Bheki Khumalo, presidential spokesperson, said on Sunday that Zuma would remain in his position.

When asked how a deputy president could retain his position despite the fact that the prosecuting authorities found evidence of corruption against him, Khumalo referred the matter to the president. President Thabo Mbeki is currently in Tanzania.

Amidst speculation that the charges against Zuma are just a smokescreen for a political power struggle which will determine Mbeki's successor, it seems as if the case against the deputy president is far from over.

Case not over

"The case is closed for now, but not over," Sipho Ngwema, spokesperson for the Scorpions, said on Sunday.

"We have handed a report on our investigation to President Thabo Mbeki and (Justice Minister) Dr Penuell Maduna.

"The evidence against deputy president Zuma is still with us. If further evidence comes to light, we will resume the investigation."

Ngwema did not want to comment on the possibility that new evidence could surface in the Shaik trial. "I do not want to pre-empt the court case," he said.

When asked why Zuma was not being prosecuted while prima facie evidence was available, Ngwema said several factors determined the chance of successful prosecution.

"We must strengthen our case, because of the position he holds and the implications a successful prosecution may have. We do not want to be accused of political actions," he said.

"There is currently circumstantial evidence against deputy president Zuma that came to light in the investigation into Schabir Shaik.

"His name came up. We are in possession of letters that were written about him and not by him," Ngwema said.

- Beeld