Safety of Zuma supporters in spotlight

By Odette Ismail
06 September 2006

There are concerns that the safety of ANC deputy president Jacob Zuma’s supporter's is in danger.

This was revealed on Tuesday when leaders of the ANC, SACP, and COSATU alliances addressed supporters who kept a vigil outside of the Pietermaritzburg High Court.

Leaders announced that the chairperson of the Friends of Jacob Zuma Trust, Zobaphi Zithole, died after unknown gunmen fired eight shots. Cosatu General secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said that Zithole was on his way to fetch t-shirts that would have been worn by Zuma supporters.

According to Zithole's family, he received intimidating phone calls just a day before the murder. Vavi also elaborated on the death of George Nene, former chairperson of Friends of Zuma, who died in what he calls a ‘mysterious accident.’

Zuma responded to the killing by saying that he thought the threatening and killing of people was a thing of the past.