Come to Nkandla – Zuma’s son
Urges supporters to ignore Covid restrictions
EDWARD Zuma, the most vocal son of former president Jacob Zuma, has thrown down the gauntlet to the authorities and defied Covid-19 regulations that bar social gatherings by urging his fathers’ supporters to ignore them and go to Nkandla to show their support.
Moreover, he said they were in a “war” and the regulations should be ignored, and “we are prepared to die”.
Zuma junior came out late yesterday and faced the media camped outside Zuma’s Nkandla home, and did not hold back as he said Covid-19 meant nothing to him.
“What do you mean ‘What about Covid-19 restrictions’? We know we are in a situation of war here, we can’t be considering Covid-19 situations. If it means we die, we die, we are prepared to die,” he told the media.
He said “any person who wants to come (to Nkandla) is welcome to come at any time”, in response to questions on when they expected supporters to arrive in Nkandla. He repeated his assertion that he was going to lay down his life in defence of his father. He said that before police could send Zuma senior to jail, they would first have to overcome him.
“Well, they have to kill me first before such a thing (the court ruling) is implemented … What I am saying is that whatever decision the law enforcement agencies you know, decide upon, if that drastic decision happens to be taken, then they have to pass by me. Meaning I will lay down my life for (former) president Zuma. They are not going to take him to prison when I am still alive. So they have to kill me first, I insist on that,” he said.
Meanwhile, political parties yesterday welcomed the Constitutional Court judgment, sentencing the former head of state to prison for 15 months, saying it was a victory for the rule of law. The parties said the judgment sent a stern message that all citizens must respect the courts and the law. The ANC said its national executive committee would meet at the weekend to reflect on the implications and consequences of the judgment.
“We further reaffirm our commitment to upholding the rule of law and fulfilling the aspirations of our constitutional democracy,” said spokesperson Pule Mabe.
The SACP said it wished to stress the supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law, including the principle that no person was above the law.
DA leader John Steenhuisen said the judgment showed that no one was above the law, including Zuma, and UDM leader Bantu Holomisa said the judgment was a landmark ruling and was important for the rule of law.
IFP spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa said the ruling was a victory for the rule of law, and confirmed the fact that no one was above it.
Good secretary-general Brett Herron said “the ConCourt has asserted the supremacy of the law over powerful individuals, sending a resounding message that South Africa’s Constitution and its laws cannot be undermined by scandalous attacks or the courting of public support”.