Wallets come out for Zuma

2008-07-25 22:15

Parys - Free State ANC members and guests on Friday pledged nearly R1.5m for ANC President Jacob Zuma's legal battles.

"You have surprised me and I've run out of words to say thank you," Zuma told delegates at the party's provincial conference in Parys.

The money, more than R52 000 of it in cash, was donated during an impromptu fund raising drive after Zuma addressed the conference.

After delegates contributed the cash, ANC chairperson Ace Magashule challenged conference guests to contribute more.

"It does me proud, but you cannot be beaten by ordinary people from the ground," Magashule told businessmen, MECs, high-ranking officials and other guests.

National executive committee member Susan Shabangu thanked the conference, on behalf of the ANC, for the good work and support of the ANC president. She said this was in line with a party resolution taken in 2005.

"You have shown that at all times you would take care of your leaders and support them."

Zuma said it was the first "practical" support he had received after the party adopted a resolution to help him. He said the gesture showed that the party in the province was united.

"Who cannot win with such support," said Zuma.

"I'm more than humbled."

Zuma said the funds would go a long way to address the challenges he faced.

- SAPA