Zuma supporters 'in danger'
2006-09-06 07:21
Pietermaritzburg - There are fears that frontline supporters of ANC deputy president Jacob Zuma are in danger.
This emerged on Tuesday when the leadership of the ANC, SACP, Cosatu Alliance briefed crowds who held a vigil outside the Pietermaritzburg High Court.
The speakers announced that the chairperson of Friends of Jacob Zuma in Gauteng, Zobaphi Sithole, was gunned down in Gauteng on Monday night while preparing to attend the trial in Pietermaritzburg.
According to Cosatu General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi Sithole was en route to collect t-shirts that would be worn by supporters at the vigil when unknown men fired eight shots killing Sithole.
Vavi said Sithole's family reported that the chairperson received "threatening phone calls" on Monday before the incident occurred.
He explained that George Nene whom Sithole succeeded also died under a mysterious car accident last year, raising suspicions that he could have been killed for his association with Zuma.
Zuma criticised the killing. "I thought we have gone beyond the time of the rule of the gun. It is sad that there are still those who threaten and kill people at this day and age," he said.
Vavi warned the people behind the killing that the attack would not deter anyone from supporting Zuma.
"They will not finish us. In no time, we will be celebrating victory. There can never be unity between lies and the truth. We will triumph," said Vavi.
Echoing this sentiment was SACP General Secretary Blade Nzimande who said the people wanted to silence those who are supporting Zuma.
He also lashed out at those who criticised SACP and Cosatu that they had moved away from fighting the struggle of the workers and became entangled with the Zuma issue.