Jackson on his way to SA?
2005-06-21 09:34
Pieter Jordaan
Johannesburg - Michael Jackson could be on his way to South Africa.
FoxNews.com says the controversial pop star is keen to leave the United States because of growing pressure. South Africa and Switzerland are named as potential destinations.
Last week a court in California found Jackson not guilty of ten charges, including child molestation. Since then speculation has been rife in the US about where he is going to find refuge.
For some time now Jackson has had ties with South Africa and he particularly likes Sun City. In 1996 he was a guest at former president Nelson Mandela's birthday celebrations and was best man at the wedding of former SABC news reader, Prudence Solomon.
Jackson's brother, Jermaine, recently mentioned on CNN's Larry King Live that the Jacksons have always preferred places outside the United States. "I know that he (Michael) has to go somewhere to have a rest."
Jackson's attorney, Robert Sanger, asked the American authorities last week to return various items to Jackson, including his passport and other material used for the purposes of the investigation.
The website E! Online says that Jackson has not been seen in public since June 13. A survey by Nielsen Broadcast Systems found that Jackson's music is now being played on 90% more radio stations than before the trial.