Former Deputy President Jacob Zuma - Still Shady
Few politicians can sport a rap sheet like the former deputy president of South Africa, Jacob Zuma.2005: Zuma indicted for a corruption case which eventually collapsed on procedural grounds. However, it didn't stop Thabo Mbeki, the current President of South Africa from firing Zuma as Deputy President.
2006: Zuma acquitted of rape charges and still won around sixty percent of delegate votes.
2007: Zuma is being charged with money laundering, corruption, fraud and racketeering and will have to appear in graft trial.
South Africa seems to be a glutton for punishment. Why didn't they just oust this man back in 2005? So there have been no actual convictions, but like my grandmother used to say - "where there's this much smoke, there's fire."
Zuma's lawyer, Michael Hulley said the current trial will begin on August 14th, 2008. In a statement, he went on to say:
"These charges will be vigorously defended, in the context of the belief that the Scorpions (NPA) have acted wrongly and with improper motive calculated to discredit Mr. Zuma and ensure that he play no leadership role in the political future of our country."
One guy on the street, said this could seriously jeopardize Zuma's chances of becoming South Africa's next President.
Jeopardize? You mean he could still be elected?
I could never see a candidate running for office in the United States, England or Australia, that had the same past as Jacob Zuma. First of all, true to American tradition, it would come to light during the elections, and then forget it - there's no way that a Bible belt strangled nation like the U.S. could ever forgive such a past.
Actually I couldn't forgive rape - and there you have it. I figure I'm a fairly good example of the common people and I wouldn't vote for him. While he may be innocent of the current crimes (though it's doubtful) a suspected rapist sure wouldn't make it into my list of trusted politicians.
A statement from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said:
"An indictment has been issued for trial in the Pietermaritzburg High Court commencing on Aug 4, 2008."
Comments
"there's no way that a Bible belt stangled nation like the U.S. could ever forgive such a past"...thank you for the accuracy of this statement;) I live in the middle of this Bible belt, in the first State which has historically fallen first to the Republican candidate during the Presidential elections. But I have the growing sense that this may not turn out to be the case this year...there are negative Bush rumblings here which I've heard during the past two years and they are growing. I've even heard staunch conservatives, faundamentalists, and Republicans say they think he is, and will be rembered as, the worst "President" we have ever had. Perhaps there is room for hope. Off-topic, I know. And very informative article.
Great article, Ms. Journalist. Like the saying goes. Most great men are really bad men! Who cares what he did? Just so long as everybody gets their free goodies when (not if) he's elected!
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