Be fair to Zuma - W Cape ANC

2005-06-13 14:48

Cape Town - It was necessary to be fair to embattled deputy president Jacob Zuma, the newly elected Western Cape African National Congress executive said on Monday.

"Our position as a province vis-a-vis the question of our deputy president, is that the deputy president has not appeared in any court of law.

"He has not been charged in any court of law.

"The ANC through its own processes might see how best to deal with that particular problem," said James Ngculu, the new provincial chair.

Ngculu was speaking at a media briefing where the provincial executive committee (PEC) members were introduced.

"Ourselves here, we are saying that the deputy president was never found guilty in any court of law, and therefore we don't understand what should we pronounce as he has not appeared in any court of law."

Ngculu said in the interests of fairness it could be "injurious" to the character and integrity of Zuma to pronounce on the matter.

Zuma was implicated in the high court conviction of his finance advisor Schabir Shaik.

Zuma was reportedly meeting with president Thabo Mbeki on Monday to discuss his future.

'Vote-rigging'

At the briefing, re-elected provincial secretary Mcebisi Skwatsha said the provincial executive was satisfied with the outcome of the weekend's conference.

"We reject with contempt any suggestions of vote-rigging or irregularities," he said, stressing that the conference had accepted the outcome of the elections which deposed Western Cape premier Ebrahim Rasool as provincial chair.

Skwatsha said the provincial executive was committed to good governance, as well as accountability to the African National Congress.

"We think we are a credible PEC... and ready to lead the province," he said, reaffirming its full support of the provincial government under the leadership of Rasool.

The PEC would focus on building a united party focused on service delivery, and building strength and unity within the party.

Possible friction

Ngculu played down possible friction between his office and that of Rasool, saying it was necessary to avoid a "mechanistic" approach to delivering the mandate of government in the province.

So, for instance, while the PEC provided the broad mandates to govern, it was up to individual ministers to ensure that this delivery occurred.

Skwatsha said the question of him resigning his post as Transport MEC to concentrate on ANC business was in the hands of the party.

Provincial treasurer and Finance MEC, Lynn Brown, said any cabinet reshuffle would have to be a collective decision.

Brown said it would be "foolhardy" for any one person to make the decision on who should become the new Transport MEC, if and when Skwatsha chose to resign.

- SAPA