Polarising Zuma more divisive than ever

Jacob-Zuma-2020.jpg

Former South African President, Jacob Zuma

by SAVIOUS KWINIKA 
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) EXACTLY three years after his resignation, former president, Jacob Zuma, remains arguably the most polarising individual in South Africa.

Tainted by allegations of corruption during his presidency that ran from 2009 and February 14, 2018, not only is he now giving a king-size headache to a commission he instituted to probe the allegations.

There are fears some radical elements within the factionalised ruling African National Congress (ANC) could destabilize the country amid fears of his prosecution.

Possible prosecution comes from his defiance against the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture.

He snubbed a scheduled appearance on Monday.

Some members of the Mkhonto we Sizwe Military Veteran’s Association (MKMVA) raised a storm by camping at his plush homestead in the Nkandla region of the KwaZulu-Natal province.

The Democratic Alliance (DA), the main opposition, is demanding that charges be brought against the former president for his refusal to appear before the commission.

Glynnis Breytenbach, DA Shadow Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, said it came as “no surprise that his (Zuma’s) monumental disrespect for the law is on public display.”

“Zuma has always, also during his presidency, exhibited utter contempt for the Constitution and the Rule of Law,” Breytenbach said.

The opposition politician said Zuma’s alleged contempt for the commission was “appalling” and he must now face the “full force of the law.”

“He (Zuma) has slithered through life with no consequences for contemptible behaviour. It is time his chickens came home to roost,” Breytenbach said.
On Monday, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, referred Zuma’s matter back to the Constitutional Court for action.

They believe the former head of state is in contempt of court and must be arrested.

Zuma has raised allegations against the judiciary and believes Zondo, who chairs the commission, is compromised.

Zuma on Monday, in a statement, vowed “no amount of intimidation or blackmail” would change his decision.

Siobhan Redford, the Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) economist, said, “It is likely to be an interesting week for the Zondo commission and a number of politicians, but we can only watch to see what happens on those fronts.”

A son of a police man and domestic worker, Zuma (78) is a member of the largest ethnic group and nation. He defied a lack of formal education and imprisonment during apartheid and rose to the position of the fourth democratically elected president.

– CAJ News

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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