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Pro Zuma supporters hold up a banner with the face of former South African President Jacob Zuma while showing their support outside the Constitutional Court. Photo / Shiraaz Mohamed.
Supporters of former President Jacob Zuma, whose face is Carl Niehaus, a spokesman for uMkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans (MKVA), vowed on Thursday that South Africa will experience instability if Zuma loses the case before the Constitutional Court.
Attorney Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, arguing on behalf of the State Capture Commission, called for former President Jacob Zuma to be jailed for two years. because his conduct in ignoring a subpoena and the Constitutional Court’s instruction to appear before the commission threatens the entire constitutional order of South Africa.
But upon hearing this, Zuma supporters who had gathered outside court on Thursday said this would bring instability to the country.
“Such a trial would lead to outrage and anger among us supporters,” said Carl Niehaus, spokesman for uMkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans (MKVA) and a fervent supporter of Zuma.
“We don’t want to see social instability in SA. But such a judgment will inevitably lead to social instability that will not be good for South Africa or the ANC, so we sincerely hope that this will not happen, “added Niehaus.
“If the sentence does not go in favor of President Zuma, it will be a sad day. President Zuma is probably the most prominent politician in the country, he has great support.
“Supporters of President Zuma feel very strongly that he has been treated unfairly and that he has been a political target,” Niehaus said.
When asked about his own personal assistance, Niehaus said: “I am here because I am outraged by the way President Zuma has been treated for many years. I find it unacceptable that it is constantly targeted for political reasons. I think the Zondo commission was started to target President Zuma. “
Niehaus said that under these circumstances it was right for Zuma to feel like he was a target. And that the law was adjusted and used in the attack against him.
Daily maverick Asked Niehaus if, according to the meeting between the MKMVA and Zuma, the former president had shown any intention to respect the rule of law according to his oath as former President of the Republic, Niehaus said: “The rule of law is important to us and President Zuma does not want to undermine the rule of law. “
Niehaus said that when the MKMVA met with Zuma in Nkandla, Zuma emphasized that he did not want to undermine the rule of law.
But Niehaus said Zuma had expressed serious concerns about how Judge Zondo, in Zuma’s request for disqualification, presented himself as a material witness and judge.
Photo / Shiraaz Mohamed.
According to Niehaus, Zuma’s other concern was that Judge Zondo had rushed past the high court and onto the Constitutional Court.
He said that Zuma believes the matter should have been headed up first.
Niehaus said that Zuma had told the MKMVA that the Constitutional Court had taken away his right to remain silent.
He said that as a result, the ConCourt and the Commission had created a situation in which Zuma was cornered in the position of contempt of court. Zuma did not present documents opposing the request of the State Capture Commission.
Zuma supporters weren’t alone off the field.
Despite the cold and rainy weather, many organizations came to support the Constitutional Court. Among them was the One South Africa Movement (OSAM) of former DA leader Mmusi Maimane. A representative of the movement said Daily maverick they weren’t in court for political reasons.
Said Derek Holmes, CEO of Move one Million: “The reason we are here today is to make sure any decision ConCourt makes is honored.”
He said the movement did not believe that in a constitutional democracy anyone could be above the law. He said that all the organization wanted to see was that people were treated equally in the country.
When asked if the movement’s attendance at court depended on favoring a particular decision, Holmes said: “We don’t have a favorite, the legal system is in place for who does what and how.”
He added that the movement had faith in the South African legal system.
Lindi Nkosi, a member of the Radical Economic Transformation group, said the country’s constitution was being abused. She said her attendance was motivated by such abuse.
“We are busy fighting and protecting others while other members of the same party were crucified. When I say others, I mean President Zuma. Follow the examples that emerge from the commission, ”he said.
Nkosi said that she was openly part of the RET group and her main concern was that if Zuma is tried, all ANC members accused of wrongdoing should do the same.
Nkosi added, “No one will arrest Zuma because they would have to arrest the crowd of his supporters with him.”
In addition to the ANC and OSAM, members of the newly formed Action SA party also attended. A party member braved the rain and focused on carrying letters printed on a cardboard box against the wall of the ConCourt. He wrote in large capital letters: “YOU STOLE THE COUNTRY FROM BANKRUPTCY.”
Pretty Ntshele, 48, of Yeoville, who supports the campaign of former Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba, said she wanted to express her concern for the general welfare of South Africans. She said that while she was against Zuma’s judicial challenge, she was especially concerned about important issues such as gender-based violence (GBV), crime, education and others that the ruling party seemed to have neglected.
“If Zuma has to respond, he must respond because this is all his doing and the ANC’s doing,” Ntshele said.
But Nkosi vowed to defend Zuma. “We will fight, no one will get on Zuma’s head and wait for us to keep quiet. The RET is the policy of the ANC, none of us are out of line. It is the media that want South Africa to believe this. “
Said Nkosi “We will die where President Zuma dies.” DM
