Zuma won't back down on lawsuit
17/04/2007 21:31  - (SA)  

Zuma: I'll accept nomination Zuma 'dreams' of gun-free SA Zuma carries on court fight 'State has too much power' Cosatu denies Zuma rift Blow for Zuma - report Zuma's party kicks off in style Date set for Zuma appeal Zuma convoy angers KZN locals Zuma's SARS problem 'resolved' Zuma's R15 000 birthday cake Zuma: Taxpayers paid R8m Zuma, Afrikaners bond at braai Zuma wants political tolerance

Cape Town - Former deputy president Jacob Zuma has pledged not to withdraw legal action he has instituted against members of the media.

Addressing the Cape Town Press Club on Tuesday, the African National Congress deputy president said: "No, I'm not going to drop the case. I'll stand by what I've done.

"What I say is what I believe you (the media) have done.

"You cannot tell me that the media has the right to take the place of judges, and actually try people and say this one is guilty."

The constitution stated a person was presumed innocent until found guilty by a court of law.

Media abusing its freedom

Zuma said he had gone to court, a judge had looked at the facts before him and found him not guilty, but "you guys continued to find me guilty".

This was unfair, he said.

"I think you are abusing your freedom. That's my view," said Zuma.

"Once the judge has pronounced, respect the judiciary and the constitution.

"You can't persecute a person when the matter has been dealt with. Impossible."

Zuma said he had fought for press freedom for a long time and would continue to defend it at all costs.

Should respect rights of others

"But, as an individual and a citizen of this country, I feel the present reporting about me went beyond the borders, and created the impression that the media was, in fact, something to be feared.

"Something to make and break kings; something to do things to individuals; something to try and convict people... and I thought that's not the freedom I fought for."

What he wanted, in South Africa's democracy, was a press that respected the rights of other people.

No problems with Mbeki

He said that at times he found it difficult to see the difference between reporting and opinion.

Zuma also repeated there were no problems between himself and President Thabo Mbeki.

The two had been friends for many years, and met at ANC headquarters in Luthuli House in Johannesburg on most Mondays.

They had worked together in the past, and were doing so now.

"There are no problems between me and comrade Mbeki."

What is this?    Yahoo    Digg  Del.icio.us  Facebook Brought to you by OUTsurance Car Insurance News24 on mobile News24 on facebook profile