Amy Musgrave - BDFM Online
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Political Correspondent
CORRUPTION allegations hanging over Jacob Zuma will not stop his nomination as African National Congress (ANC) president in December next year, says ANC Youth League (ANCYL) president Fikile Mbalula.
Mbalula told reporters in Johannesburg yesterday that, as Zuma had not been convicted of corruption, he would be considered a member of good standing in terms of the ANC constitution.
These comments follow the Supreme Court of Appeal decision on Monday to uphold the corruption and fraud conviction of former Zuma financial adviser Schabir Shaik.
The National Prosecuting Authority welcomed the judgment, and is expected to recharge the ANC deputy president after an appeal against the overturning of search and seizure warrants relating to his corruption case.
Zuma's aides have said the appeal is likely to be heard next May, when the ANC presidential race will be in full swing.
"Any recharging of Zuma would constitute a witch-hunt," said Mbalula.
Shaik is expected to start his jail term at Westville prison today.
It will be hard for some ANC members to argue against Zuma's nomination, based on the allegations. Before this year's municipal elections, former ANC MP Ruth Bhengu re-emerged on the party's KwaZulu-Natal election list after she was found guilty of defrauding Parliament.
Mbeki said she had paid her debt to society. She is now deputy mayor of the Ugu District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal.