JZ’s lawyers want charges dropped

Former president Jacob Zuma told hundreds of supporters outside the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Pietermaritzburg that his lawyers want his fraud and corruption case dropped.

Zuma was speaking shortly after his appearance in the high court in the long-running corruption case which was again postponed, to May 20.

Zuma told the cheering crowd that even though some individuals in the ANC had turned against him, they should continue to support the ruling party to ensure that it gets a two-thirds majority next year so that it can change laws that prevent the poor from benefitting from the country’s wealth.

Earlier, Zuma, whose matter dates back to 1997 when French arms company Thompson-CSF, now known as Thales, secured a multibillion-rand contract to supply four navy frigates to the South African government as part of the controversial multibillion-rand arms deal, cut a stoic figure inside the court.

The French company allegedly agreed in 2002 to pay a R500 000 bribe to Zuma, who was the deputy president at the time, supposedly for “political protection” in any investigation.

Yesterday, the matter was postponed to allow the court to consider Zuma‘s request for a permanent stay of execution.

Outside the court, Carl Niehaus, spokesperson for Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans’ Association, told the crowd there was an intention to destroy one of the greatest commanders of the MK.

Niehaus praised Zuma for expanding social grants and free higher education, something he said Zuma’s enemies did not want to happen.

“We do not believe that comrade Zuma will get a free and fair trial,” bellowed Niehaus.

He said the case has been on and off for around 17 years.

“That is why we want a permanent stay of execution.”

When he finally took to the podium, Zuma told supporters in vernacular that his lawyers have submitted papers requesting that the case should not continue. He said in the past two decades, the matter had been hanging over his head, even though two judges had refused to put him on trial.

“We will meet again next year to allow the prosecutors to decide if they say it should continue,” Zuma said amid wild cheers and ululation.

We do not believe comrade Zuma will get a free and fair trial. That’s why we want a permanent stay of execution.

Carl Niehaus

Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans’ Association spokesperon