Cosatu and YCL wants arms deal case reopened

By Tarryn Le Chat

On the eve of the start of former deputy president Jacob Zuma's trial on corruption charges, calls for a renewed probe into the arms deal dominated the South African Communist Party's 85th anniversary rally yesterday.

Both the Young Communists League (YCL) and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) called for investigations into the deal to be reopened.

YCL deputy president, Buti Manamela, told a packed Wadley Stadium it did not make sense for Jacob Zuma to be prosecuted for corruption after the government said the arms deal was above board.

Manamela said, "We are shocked that Jacob Zuma has been charged with corruption on the basis of investigation into the arms deal. Why say it (the arms deal) was clean and above board and then try and convict members of the NEC (national executive committeee of the African Natonal Congress)?"

Cosatu Secretary General, Zwelinzima Vavi echoed Manamela's call, saying the case against Zuma should be dropped.

Zuma is to go on trial in the Pietermaritzburg High Court today on charges of corruption relating to the arms deal.

Picture: news.bbc.co.uk