Showing no signs of illness or remorse, a defiant former president Jacob Zuma addressed his supporters for the first time since his release from incarceration and hit out at those responsible for his jail sentence, including Zondo commission judge Raymond Zondo.
Dressed in a flowery shirt and appearing calm, relaxed and healthy Zuma said he viewed his incarceration as an “unconstitutional process” and remains “a prisoner under very strict parole conditions”.
Referring to his decision not to appear before the Zondo commission — which resulted in him being sent to jail — he said it was due to the personal matter of “conflict” between himself and Zondo. Zuma said he felt still that Zondo should have recused himself.
“He [Zondo] went on to rule against me on the matter between him and me where the facts were in dispute, and instead went to the Constitutional Court and the court acting as first and last instance ruled in his favour,” said Zuma.
The Constitutional Court eventually held him in contempt of court and sentenced him to 15 months in jail.
“Indeed, the judgment declares that expressing my views and beliefs is inappropriate and justifies a severe prison sentence without trial,” said Zuma.
He said he came to the realisation that things were headed for a crisis that could easily descend to severe social instability and so he handed himself over to correctional services in July to prevent loss of life to his family and supporters.
“To avoid a dangerous situation which was looming and indeed loss of life of innocent citizens including members of my family I handed myself to the jail at Estcourt prison.”
Hundreds of Zuma supporters braved the sweltering Durban heat and gathered under the shade of umbrellas waiting to welcome him in person, only to find out that his address would be virtual.
The event, touted as a national prayer service to welcome Zuma home, at times turned into an election rally for the ANC but with scathing attacks against the current ANC leadership. It got under way at the People’s Park opposite Durban’s Moses Mabhida Stadium shortly after noon Thursday.
Speaker after speaker, including religious leaders, took to the stage, talking about how poor black people have been forgotten by the ANC leadership. They are still unforgiving about Zuma’s incarceration and warned that while they support the ANC and will vote for the party, they called on supporters to vote out leaders of the ANC who they feel are not fit lead.
Zuma served two months of his 15-month jail term and the medical parole came with conditions which included he serve out the remainder of his term staying at home.
With soaring temperatures close to 40°C, supporters — clad in the black, yellow and green colours of the ANC — also carried posters saying, “Pro-poor president”, “We love ANC”, “Father of the nation” and “Father of free education” as they joined in the celebration with song, dance and prayer.
Nkosentsha Shezi, a Zuma supporter and radical economic transformation faction leader, called the events “black people’s Christmas day” and “a Zuma day” to celebrate his homecoming after his short incarceration. He told supporters that Zuma was “illegally incarcerated”.
“We have always warned that when you mess up with the people’s president, when you begin to believe the avalanche media attack that has been targeting president Jacob Zuma, when you begin to think that president Zuma is no longer relevant to this country. When you talk to media, they tell us to accept that president Zuma’s season had come, and president Jacob Zuma’s season has gone. Yet we know seasons. President Zuma’s season is yet to come. We want him back as president,” said Shezi.
Those attending the Durban gathering included suspended ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule, corruption-accused former Durban mayor Zandile Gumede and Zuma ally Carl Niehaus.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.