Shock at Zuma's axing
2005-06-21 12:17
Pietermaritzburg - President Thabo Mbeki's televised axing of his deputy Jacob Zuma sent shockwaves across the country on Tuesday.
The much-awaited decision came after media reports calling for Zuma's resignation after Durban High Court Judge Hilary Squires said Shaik enjoyed a "corrupt relationship" with Zuma.
The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal accepted Mbeki's decision, but also expressed its support for Zuma.
ANC provincial spokesperson Mtholephi Mthimkhulu said Mbeki exercised his constitutional prerogative as the president of the country to release Zuma from his duties.
He added that the decision is consistent with the principle of the rule of law, including the right to presumption of innocent until proven guilty.
"We respect Mbeki's decision. We will continue to give Zuma, as deputy president of the ANC, the support he needs from us in the party. He remains the deputy president of the party and we still have full confidence in him," said Mthimkhulu.
SACP's provincial secretary Themba Mthembu said the party regrets that Zuma has been fired.
"However, we recognise that it is the prerogative of the president to fire and hire members of the executive." Mthembu also said as long as Zuma has not been given the opportunity to defend himself, the SACP would support him.
Speaking in his personal capacity, Sanco's provincial chair Dumisani Mthalane, who was in parliament when the announcement was made, criticised the decision.
He said Mbeki looked at the Shaik trial judgment to arrive at the decision.
"Whatever Shaik said in his defence does not necessarily mean that Zuma is guilty of it. Zuma has not been given a chance to state his side. It is possible that Zuma can defend himself against this - but he is out today.
"Is this decision in the interest of the first world countries or the South Africans? Zuma fought for this democracy, he was the man behind the peace process in KwaZulu-Natal. It is sad that the decision has been taken," said Mthalane.
Tried by the media
He asked which judge in South Africa would be able to try Zuma without bias because the media have already tried him after Squires brought his name into the matter.
Chairperson of the KwaZulu-Natal Christian Council Bishop Purity Malinga expressed the council's shock over the decision.
She said as much the council had been waiting for the president to make an announcement on the matter, they did not expect him to "relieve" Zuma of his duties.
"We accept the decision and want to affirm the leadership that Mbeki has provided to the nation on this matter. We note, however, that in his speech, Mbeki spoke about the constitutional right that Zuma has and the right to defend himself before the court of law. We hope that Zuma will be given that right," said Malinga.
Political analyst Protas Madlala said the decision is a victory for justice and democracy but envisages more damage to the ANC after the announcement.
- The Witness