Zuma 'won't receive fair trial'

2009-01-12 14:11

Johannesburg - The Congress of SA Trade Unions reiterated its stance that ANC president Jacob Zuma will not have a fair trial, following Monday's Supreme Court of Appeal judgment which gives the prosecuting authority another chance at taking him to court.

The union federation said that it respects the decision of acting deputy judge president Louis Harms, as well as decisions of other courts, including that of Pietermaritzburg High Court judge Chris Nicholson, whose judgment was appealed by the National Director of Public Prosecutions.

"Cosatu does not believe however that today's judgment changes the basic facts, which are that it will be impossible for the ANC president to have a fair trial given the long delays and the trial by media," it said.

"Cosatu remains convinced that the whole prosecution process has been politically motivated and will continue to demand the dropping of all charges."

Mobilise behind Zuma

It would support any further appeals by Zuma, and would mobilise its estimated two million members behind him to ensure "another landslide election victory".

Cosatu's commitment to Zuma saw Willie Madisha purged as president last year, because he appeared to be siding with former president Thabo Mbeki for the party's presidency, over Zuma.

Its general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi was also made to explain comments that he would "kill for Zuma".

The NDPP was appealing against a ruling handed down by Nicholson on September 12 last year.

Nicholson found that Zuma did have the right to make representations before the NDPP decided to re-charge him, but this decision has now been overturned on appeal.

This means the presidential front-runner Zuma still faces charges of corruption, fraud, racketeering and tax evasion.

- SAPA