ANC putting Zuma first - DA
08/01/2008 21:24  - (SA)  

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Johannesburg - The African National Congress favoured its newly elected president over the interests of the country, the Democratic Alliance said on Tuesday.

"By reaffirming Jacob Zuma as its candidate for the country's presidency, the ANC NEC (National Executive Committee) has shown that it prizes loyalty to Zuma over the interests of South Africa," said acting party leader Joe Seremane.

Earlier on Tuesday, the NEC reaffirmed its support for Zuma as a candidate for the presidency of the country in the 2009 elections.

This was in line with a resolution of the 2005 national general council, the ANC said.

The NEC said it sought no special treatment for its president, who faces corruption charges - only fairness and justice.

However, Seremane said the chances were slim that Zuma's corruption court case would be wound up before the next election.

"This raises the unpalatable prospect of a sitting president facing corruption charges in court," he said.

Seremane said President Thabo Mbeki did the right thing by relieving Zuma of his position as deputy president of the country after he was implicated in his financial adviser Schabir Shaik's fraud trial.

"The fact that the ANC is willing to field Zuma as its presidential candidate when he faces his own corruption trial indicates how low the ruling party has sunk.

"The prospect of a sitting president facing corruption charges in court - whether he is proven innocent or guilty - will leave an indelible stain on South Africa's reputation abroad and the morale of our citizenry," said Seremane.

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