Zuma coalition mum on trial
04/05/2006 17:25  - (SA)  

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Johannesburg - A coalition of Jacob Zuma supporters was not prepared to say on Thursday whether it thought his rape trial had been free and fair.

"It's not our place to be commenting while the trial is still in progress. (We) shouldn't be locked down on yes or no answers," said Young Communist League (YCL) president Buti Manamela.

The newly formed Friends of Jacob Zuma Coalition, which includes the YCL, would pronounce on the fairness of the trial only once Judge Willem van der Merwe had delivered his verdict, he said.

However African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) spokesperson Zizi Kodwa said: "We are still behind him (Zuma) 100%."

Manamela also would not say whether the tripartite alliance would ask the ANC to allow Zuma to continue with his duties as deputy president of the party if he was found not guilty.

After Zuma was charged with rape last year, his participation in the leading structures of the ANC was suspended.

Judiciary was attacked

Zuma also faces corruption charges later this year, related to dealings he had with his former financial adviser, Schabir Shaik, who was found guilty of fraud and corruption last year.

After Shaik's trial, the judiciary came under attack for not being fair as presiding Judge Hilary Squires had found there was a "generally corrupt" relationship between Zuma and Shaik, although Zuma had not be on trial.

ANCYL secretary-general Sihle Zikalala, said it was not known how many people would attend a night vigil ahead of the Zuma-trial judgment, which starts on Monday.

He said people would not be bused in to attend the vigil and a gathering outside the court while the judgment was being read.

But, many had expressed an interest in hearing Zuma address his supporters after the judgment.

Night vigil before judgment

The spokesman of the Friends of Jacob Zuma Trust, Kaiser Mohau, said that once judgment had been delivered, the crowd outside the court would march to Beyers Naude Square where Zuma would address them.

The vigil would be held at the Central Methodist Church near the court and would start at 22:00 on Sunday.

Mohau also confirmed that Zuma would speak at a fundraising concert for him in Soweto on Sunday.

Fourteen Maskandi groups would perform and tickets at R55 a person would be sold at the gates to Jabulani Ampitheatre.

- SAPA

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