Sorry, I have to share this. They are actually going to allow this guy to continue his career in politics. I know we are a small country stuck in some corner of Africa, but still................


DA: ANC hypocritical over Zuma2006-01-05 19:48:51http://www.news24.com/Images/Photos/20060105193159Jacob Zuma02.jpgThe news that Jacob Zuma will take part in the ANC's local government election campaign has confirmed that the party has thrown away its moral compass, the DA says. Cape Town - The news that Jacob Zuma would take part in the African National Congress' local government election campaign confirmed that the party had thrown away its moral compass, Democratic Alliance (DA) acting leader Joe Seremane said on Thursday.
President Thabo Mbeki had urged that corruption in municipalities be rooted out, and condemned the "self-seeking spirit" in the ANC, he said.

"Given that Zuma is facing serious corruption charges, which have already cost him his position as deputy president (of the country), the decision to allow him to campaign is entirely hypocritical."

It also raised questions about how seriously ANC leadership regarded the rape charge Zuma faced.

'He is an ANC member'

Earlier on Thursday, ANC deputy secretary general Sankie Mthembi-Mahanyele confirmed Zuma would attend the launch of the party's local government election campaign in Cape Town this weekend.

"Yes, he will be there on Sunday. He's coming to celebrate the day with us," she said.

The launch, at the Athlone Stadium, will be addressed by Mbeki, who will deliver the ANC national executive's annual January 8 statement of priorities for the year ahead and unveil the party's election manifesto.

Zuma goes on trial on arms deal-related corruption charges this year and also faces a charge of rape.

Last month, after appearing in court on the rape charge, he announced he was voluntarily suspending himself from activities as deputy president of the ANC.

ANC secretary general Kgalema Motlanthe said then that the effect of the suspension was that Zuma would not "pronounce or act as deputy president" for the duration of the trial.

Mthembi-Mahanyele said she did not think there was any contradiction between that position and Zuma's participation in the election campaign.

She said the ANC national executive had agreed to his request that he be allowed an opportunity to deal with the issues confronting him.

"But you will also remember that when there is an election campaign, all members of the ANC, whether you are an official or not an official, you have to participate in the elections, whether they are local government elections or national elections.

"So comrade Jacob Zuma will be participating in the elections, because he is a member of the ANC.

"That has got nothing to do with his status."

Details of how we would participate in the campaign would be decided in discussions between Zuma and Motlanthe, she said.

Mthembi-Mahanyele also said the decision to hold the national campaign launch in Cape Town was a signal of the strategic importance of the city and the Western Cape as a whole.

She said the ANC was confident of winning the city - where the DA is putting up a strong challenge.

"We've done our work; we have already demonstrated that, as the ANC, when we run the metro we run it very efficiently and effectively," she said.

I will be praying for this "Leadrer" not to win any elections! Thank you for your post. I will also pray that the trial wil show us that "Rape" is always a crime.

Corrupt leaders placed in every corner of the world.