Zuma still eyeing top job
2007-06-15 14:49
Johannesburg - Jacob Zuma says he would still consider running for
the leadership of the African National Congress (ANC) and the
country if charged again in a politically explosive corruption
case.
Zuma's latest suggestion he will be a candidate to replace
President Thabo Mbeki comes as his trade union allies lead a
crippling public service strike that has embarrassed the
government, particularly Mbeki.
Mbeki, who is also president of the ANC, has not said
whether he will run for a third term as party leader. He must,
however, step down as the country's president in 2009 regardless
of whether he still heads the party.
Given the ANC's political dominance, its leader is all but
guaranteed to win the 2009 presidential election.
Zuma, who was fired as deputy president by Mbeki in 2005
during an arms scandal but remains deputy president of the ANC,
seems unfazed that ongoing allegations that he accepted bribes
have further tarnished his chances of replacing Mbeki.
'Why convict myself?'
"If the ANC says 'we want to give you this (leadership)
task, and I say 'because I am charged I don't want to take this
task', you know that I am actually pleading guilty," he told the
foreign correspondent's association in Johannesburg.
"Why should I convict myself for the sake of the country? I
don't think so."
Once seen as a front-runner to become South Africa's third
black president, Zuma's fortunes slumped after he was fired and
then implicated in a related trial that led to the conviction of
his former financial aide. Zuma also was charged separately but
the case collapsed last September.
Earlier this month, however, a South African court granted
the state permission to obtain documents from Mauritius, which
could lead prosecutors to recharge Zuma in the corruption case.
Zuma, who was also acquitted in an unrelated rape trial,
remains popular among the ANC rank and file and powerful trade
union movement, largely due to his charismatic personality and
reputation as a hero of the anti-apartheid struggle.
The 65-year-old Zulu is likely to receive strong backing in
his bid from the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the
South African Communist Party, who are in a formal governing
alliance with the ANC.
Cosatu, which accuses Mbeki of promoting big business and
leaving millions of poor South Africans behind, is spearheading
a nationwide strike that has highlighted deep divisions between
the ANC and its trade union allies.
Zuma allegations have tainted the ANC
Analysts say allegations against Zuma have tainted the
party, which is due to choose its next leader at its five-yearly
national conference in December. It holds a policy conference
later this month that is likely to provide a window on the race.
Speaking at the news conference at a Johannesburg
restaurant, Zuma seemed like a politician on the campaign trail.
"I have never on a single occasion refused a task given to
me by the ANC," he said.
"And I don't think I would do a new thing this time. And for
the first time at my age to say no now."
Zuma is relying on his grassroots support from the poor,
while Mbeki is seen as a diplomat who gets things done quietly.
"They (the poor) have said 'this government is not listening
to us now'. As you know I am not in the troops of the government
these days. So I wouldn't know what has happened since I left,"
Zuma said, laughing.