SOUTH AFRICA: Ruling party ANC celebrates 96th anniversary, shows support for leader Jacob Zuma despite corruption charges he faces

Record ID: 452974

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: Ruling party ANC celebrates 96th anniversary, shows support for leader Jacob Zuma despite corruption charges he faces
  • Date: 8th January 2008
  • Summary: (FLASH) JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA (JANUARY 8, 2008) (REUTERS) ANC LEADERSHIP SINGING CLOSE UP OF ANNIVERSARY CAKE
  • Embargoed: 23rd January 2008 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAEUFWWU7C38VMUN7QUSRFX98XQ
  • Story Text: As it celebrates its 96th Anniversary, South Africa's ruling ANC (African National Congress) party said on Tuesday (January 8) that its newly-elected leader Jacob Zuma would remain its presidential candidate despite allegations of fraud.
    The ANC's National Executive Committee (NEC) questioned the National Prosecuting Authority's (NPA) handling of the charges of corruption, fraud, money laundering and racketeering against Zuma.
    The charges were announced barely two weeks after Zuma defeated President Thabo Mbeki to become leader of the ANC, the dominant party in South Africa.
    Zuma's supporters accuse Mbeki of using state institutions such as the NPA to protect allies and purge opponents, allegations Mbeki denies.
    "The NEC reaffirms its commitment to the independence of the judiciary, the rule of law and the principle of equality before the law. These principles require that the institutions of state are able to fulfil their constitutional mandate without fear or favour, as it requires them to respect the rights and dignity of all individuals charged or investigation. The meeting expressed its concern and grave misgivings about the timing of these charges and the general conduct of the NPA in this case, including inconsistency in the application of its mandate and leaking of information to the media, all the time. In line with the resolution of the 2005 National General Council, the NEC reaffirms its support for the ANC President during these trying times. It confirms that the ANC President will lead the ANC election campaign as the organisation's candidate for the president of South Africa in the 2009 elections," ANC Secretary-General Gwede Mantashe said, reading from a press statement to journalists.
    Zuma, 65, has said he would only step down if a court finds him guilty.
    He has proven resilient in the face of controversy, making a remarkable political comeback despite earlier corruption charges and a rape trial in which he was acquitted.
    The prospect that Zuma could be embroiled in a lengthy trial that may overlap with the next general election in 2009 could fuel investor concerns about political stability in Africa's largest economy.
    The charges also raised the possibility that the ANC would come under pressure to seek an alternative presidential candidate. Mbeki must stand down in 2009.
    If he is not jailed, Zuma is all but certain to become South Africa's next leader, given the ANC's grip on power since the end of apartheid in 1994.
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