'Prove Zuma's being persecuted'

2008-08-04 12:51

Pietermaritzburg - The National Prosecuting Authority on Monday called for those who claimed ANC president Jacob Zuma was being "persecuted" to produce evidence.

"There's a rule of law which says 'he who alleges must prove'," NPA spokesperson Tlali Tlali told journalists outside court A in the Pietermaritzburg High Court during the mid-morning tea break.

"We have yet to see a shred of evidence to that effect," Tlali responded to claims that the charges against Zuma were politically motivated.

He said those who had doubts about the State's conduct in the matter had been slow to approach the courts.

'A huge injustice'

Zuma's bodyguards shielded him from journalists when he emerged from the court room.

"No questions," one of them growled at a female journalist. He pointed his finger at her face and added that: "You will get what you want".

Seen milling around in the foyer during the break were ANC Youth League president Julius Malema and ANC NEC member Jeff Radebe.

The SACP's Blade Nzimande told journalists: "[This case] is a huge injustice. It's raising the political temperature, which is not good for our young democracy."

Among those who had been attending proceedings was Celiwe Madlopha. Dressed in purple and white flowing robes and holding a bottle of Valpre, she wore a wooden cross and an ANC VIP access tag around her neck.

She described herself as a "lady archbishop" of the "New Life Church" and said she saw no problem with religion being involved in politics.

"Politics is about making the lives of the people better. The church is the same. They complement each other. We need to pray for our leaders. We are calling for the divine spirit to be here so that justice can be done."

God, she said, should not take sides in the matter.

"We feel that God must be with us and not take sides."

- SAPA