ANC 'will look after Zuma'

2005-06-19 22:29

Johannesburg - The African National Congress (ANC) would have to "look after" Jacob Zuma as long as he remained its deputy president, party spokesperson Smuts Ngonyama said on Sunday.

Zuma lost his salary and perks when President Thabo Mbeki sacked him as the country's deputy president on Tuesday.

"He will remain deputy president [of the ANC], therefore the ANC will have to look after that he has sufficient resources to take care of his responsibilities," Ngonyama told Sapa.

He was reacting to Sunday newspaper reports that the government, ANC, and businessmen in KwaZulu-Natal were trying to ensure the cash-strapped Zuma would be able to provide for himself and his family.

While it went without saying that Zuma would be taken care of in his capacity as ANC deputy president, Ngonyama said the ANC had not yet discussed the matter.

NPA

A trust fund reportedly being registered by private businessmen to raise funds for Zuma's welfare had "nothing to do with the ANC".

Meanwhile, national prosecuting authority (NPA) boss Advocate Vusi Pikoli has reportedly finished studying the Durban High Court judgment which led to Zuma's dismissal.

Convicting Durban businessman Schabir Shaik of fraud and corruption, Justice Hilary Squires, found that he and Zuma - for whom he acted as financial adviser - had a "generally corrupt relationship".

Pikoli would consider various factors before announcing whether the prosecution of Zuma would proceed.

Chair of empowerment company Amabubesi Investments, Bulelani Ngcuka, headed the NPA when Shaik was charged with fraud and corruption in August 2003.

At the time Ngcuka said that although the NPA had prima facie evidence against Zuma, he would not be prosecuted as it would be impossible to win the case.

- SAPA