YCLSA stands by Zuma
2005-11-25 12:29
Cape Town - Former deputy president Jacob Zuma's right to a fair trial has been "consistently abused and undermined", the Young Communist League of SA (YCLSA) said on Friday.
In a statement issued after a meeting in Johannesburg, the national committee of the YCLSA said it reaffirmed its political support for Zuma.
"We stand firmly for the rule of law: comrade Jacob Zuma must have a fair trial.
"However, this right to a fair trial has been consistently abused and undermined by the conduct of the national prosecuting authority, the misuse of state institutions for political ends, and through a trial and campaign against comrade Zuma by the media.
"These violations reinforce our view that there is a political conspiracy against comrade Jacob Zuma personally...
"Consequently, we reaffirm our political support during his fraud and corruption trial in the Durban High Court," the statement said.
On the rape charge against Zuma, the committee said this was an extremely serious charge.
"We... strongly condemn the naming of the alleged victim and perpetrator even before an official charge has been issued and the matter has come before a court of law.
This is part of the rule of law that has been undermined by the NPA and the media," it said.
- SAPA