'Soapie' continues
2003-09-30 21:58
Johannesburg - Deputy President Jacob Zuma, apparently responding to a challenge issued by the National Directorate of Public Prosecutions, told the SABC on Tuesday that he was ready to appear before the Hefer Commission.
The NDPP urged Zuma on Monday to present the commission with evidence that Bulelani Ngcuka, head of the NDPP, was abusing his power.
"If Mr Zuma has any evidence of abuse and of ulterior motive, he is challenged to present such evidence to the commission of Enquiry established by the President for this purpose," said acting NDPP spokesperson Rudolf Mastenbroek.
The commission was set up recently by President Thabo Mbeki to investigate allegations that Ngcuka had been a spy for the apartheid government. The allegations surfaced after Ngcuka's directorate investigated Zuma for alleged corruption linked to the country's multi-billion rand arms deal.
On Tuesday the deputy president told the SABC in an interview in Kempton Park that he was ready to give evidence to Judge Joos Hefer.
The NDPP issued the challenge on Monday in response to accusations made by Zuma that Ngcuka had abused his power when he held a "secret meeting" in July with a group of black editors.
The meeting was held to discuss cases being investigated by the elite unit, the Scorpions.
- SAPA