‘Zuma charges suspicious’

FORMER President Jacob Zuma’s eldest son, Edward , has hit back at the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) decision to slap his father with charges, labelling the move a “witch-hunt” and “very suspicious”.

In his statement addressed to “all South Africans and global citizens”, Edward said he had been taking personal time to try to understand what his father had done “to deserve such hatred and treatment from people whom he served and struggled for, for the freedom we enjoy today”.

Edward said the statement was sent in his personal capacity.

“We will go all out and defend the former president in every way possible,” he said.

His remarks followed NPA head Shaun Abrahams’s decision to reinstate charges against Zuma that related to the so-called arms deal, which dates back to the 1990s.

The 16 charges include fraud, corruption, money-laundering and racketeering in relation to a myriad of payments Zuma received from his former financial adviser, Schabir Shaik.

But Edward said that even a child could see that the NPA’s decision was nothing but a witch-hunt.

He also said that state institutions were being used to “clamp down” on those who spoke out on white monopoly capital (WMC).

“I have concluded that anyone who is accused by the above or by WMC, that person will definitely not be treated like a human being or fairly by the powers that be,” he said.

“I know some will say, but the so-called charges emanate from a long time ago…

“I will then respond to say the battle to tarnish and get rid of Jacob Zuma is more than 20 years.

“Hence he is still being crucified to this day.

”Edward said his father would continue to champion the plight of the poor in South Africa, irrespective of the outcome of the case.

“Many people have spoken as to how selective our prosecution is and I will not go there as I agree with them.

“I will, however, challenge South Africans to wake up and smell the coffee before our country is again handed over to the hands of white minority rule who clearly don’t see us as equals; rather they see us as their mere butlers, labourers etc,” he said.

Jacob Zuma was and would always be “a revolutionary in pursuit of justice”, according to Edward.

“The constitution of this country has been tested to the extreme levels throughout his presidency and unfortunately this will happen throughout his life,” he said.

Edward said that 100 years from now, historians would be “correctly” reflecting on the life and times of his father.