Zuma ANC candidate despite court rulling

By Mandisi Tyulu
12 January 2009

The African National Congress says it has noted the Appeal Court’s judgement on the National Prosecuting Authority's appeal against the previous court decision that halted the prosecution of its president.

ANC spokesperson Carl Niehuas says while they respect the decision of the Supreme Court of Appeal, it is important to note that the judgement has nothing to do with the guilt or otherwise of Jacob Zuma.


Duarte says the judgement will not affect Zuma’s position as the ANC's presidential candidate. The ANC and its president reserve the right to pursue all options available in law.

The Democratic Alliance leader Hellen Zille has welcomed the judgement, saying that Zuma must be charged, go to court and face the allegations of corruption charges made against him.


The nation needs to know whether he is guilty or not before we go to an election; it is unattainable in a democracy to have a presidential president who is accused of corruption, says Zille.


On the other Hand the African Christian Democratic Party’s Steven Swart says it is a severe indictment of the previous judgment made by Judge Chris Nicholson and that Nicholson dealt with irrelevant issue and that his finding of political meddling were not warranted on the record.


United Democratic Movement leader Bantu Holomisa says Mr Zuma must stop this delaying tactics and face his day in court as he has been pleading for years.

Today’s judgement has restored the credibility and dignity of the National Prosecuting Authority as well as faith our Judiciary process, says Holomisa.


Meanwhile the Independent Democrats leader Patricia De Lille says she hopes the ANC and its supporters will respect the decision of the court and the principal that everyone is equal before the law.

De Lille says the NPA must now proceed with instituting corruption charges against Zuma so that he may have his day in court as soon as possible. She adds that justice delayed is justice denied.