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THE SMART NEWS SOURCE | Feb 10 2010 05:10 | LAST UPDATED Feb 10 2010 05:10 |
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Mmanaledi Mataboge quizzed academic Sipho Seepe, a prominent member of Jacob Zuma's camp The NPA's decision was not an acquittal. How is this likely to affect the Zuma presidency? The opposition will always have this notion that a cloud is hanging over Zuma's head. I'm not convinced that people are tainted for a long time. I believe that within a few weeks South Africans will be focusing on issues of service delivery. Electioneering will be over, so this matter will be irrelevant. Once he gets into the presidency, people will be interested in what's in it for them. Isn't it true that Bulelani Ngcuka and Leonard McCarthy's alleged connivance did not exonerate Zuma and that there is still a case to be answered? The only way he could have had exoneration would have been though a court of law. But we mustn't underestimate the fact that there was an abuse of the [legal] system. People like Helen Zille know that even in democratic states such as the United States once the process is contaminated the court won't continue with the case. There's a school of thought that the corruption charges have irreparably damaged Zuma's image and that he could have cleared his name in court. It depends on who's looking at it. For Zuma's supporters they see it [the NPA's decision] as the end of the road -- even the NPA said it's the end of the road. I've always argued that if the NPA was so strong on any of the charges, all it had to do was to take just one charge and go to court with it, instead of creating a mass meeting of charges. It's like they said: "Let's put as many charges as possible, maybe we might win." Can South Africans forget the charges and begin to respect Zuma as a credible politician? Look at Mbeki's denial of HIV/Aids. So many people died, but towards the end of his presidency people were no longer talking about it. But here the question is: who are we forgiving? The fact that the NPA said it had a strong case is just nonsense. The NPA won't come out and say: "We have a weak case." How can Zuma take the nation into his confidence on these corruption allegations? He should talk to us -- but that wouldn't change some people's positions, people who've made up their mind. There are about 40% of South Africans who already believe he is guilty.  CONTINUES BELOW TOPICS IN THIS ARTICLE
Comments
Those that want the process to go to court do not assume that Zuma is guilty. They don't know what he is. He asked for his day in court to prove his innocence. Now if he is innocent we will all celebrate as we are so tired of the allegations (and realities) or corruption in government. The fact that the ANC government could not behave themselves to the point at which this case followed its normal course is a declaration of how rotten the ANC government had become and how much its institutions of law and justice have become perverted. These issues cannot be just laid at the door of the opposition or the media, it was an ANC appointed government which was so heavily compromised. Yet, now we are just meant blindly to vote for them again, we cannot believe that a newly appointed ANC will be less rotten than the last one, there has been no openness, no confession, no resolution to behave differently in future. This is the ANC government we are talking about, not just some myth of the past. If Zuma's innocence cannot be established he will have no right to lead this nation and no right to ask for compliance to the law!
Andrew Lawrence on April 12, 2009, 8:38 am
"Even the NPA saya it's the end of the road."
What Seepe should have said is "especially the NPA says it's the end of the road" - they were the ones who were leaned on politically.
Paul Whelan on April 12, 2009, 11:32 am
Good answers Prof...even under hostile Matoboge. We know her alegiance
on April 12, 2009, 1:29 pm
If the NPA had a weak case, then Zuma lawyers would have known about that wouldn’t they? They would not have gone to such lengths to avoid Zuma’s day in court. It makes no sense that those with a weak case want to proceed and those with a strong case don’t want a day on court. Even Seepe should know that this is nonsense. Of course, if the aim is to deceive, then good luck to him.
Theophilus Buti on April 15, 2009, 6:25 am
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