Driving today I again had to endure this ongoing clarion call that Zuma’s case must be dropped – because it was politically motivated and put together, it must be dealt with politically (whatever this actually means) I have heard this drivell parroted by any number of “new” ANC mouthpieces over the last few days, today was some women’s league spokesperson. Justice Tshabalala was also interviewed and very slowly explained that judges need to weigh the facts against the law, and cannot decide cases based on the decibels of the toyi toyi’ing going on outside the court.

Snuki also seems to have flipped neatly into Zuma mode, and suddenly the news is filled with this drop the case madness – today’s demo had 500 poeple, but was nonetheless the first item. I also see things like Blade Nzimande getting invited to discussions on all sorts of matters with no justification whatsoever – I mean, the SACP would get less votes than the Soccer Party in this country, why must their leader be given so much airtime? The SABC is showing some worrying tendencies…….

However, I believe that our Judiciary and state is going to stand firm and Zuma will stand trial. I also believe that Zuma will be able to drag his trial easily beyond the next election date, but that the ANC will suffer badly at the polls and will be unable to enact the legislation they need to dodge his prosecution (the Italian Berlesconi option). Best case is that the evidence that emerges in the trial is so damming that Zuma will step down and an able replacement will be appointed. I would be interested in the future expected scenarios from the legal eagles on this forum – altho even a day can be a long time in politics….

T and Thomas seem to see what they want to see in a single word of wide possible application.

What friends of JZ still are not able to answer is whether Zuma should go to jail if he is guilty. It’s never answered with yes or no, because then the next logical step would not be pleasurable for them. No instead it is answered by how his rights were violated or that he is innocent, not answering the question.

How can we have a logical debate if the mere possibility of him being guilty and of being prosecuted for that guilt (if true), is completely off the table?

Amandla!!!!

Thomas, he may not be a friend of JZ.

Magistrate withdraws Zuma bid
Sapa Published:Sep 05, 2008

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A Pietermaritzburg magistrate, formerly a member of the Scorpions, has withdrawn his bid to block state prosecutor Billy Downer from taking part in the case against ANC president Jacob Zuma.

Magistrate’s bid to block Zuma prosecutor

Zuma fans try force their way into court

Magistrate Ashin Singh, who had yesterday applied to be admitted as an amicus curiae (friend of the court) in the Zuma case, withdrew his application today.

In his papers that he lodged with the court yesterday, he claims: “Unless one of the members of the team of prosecuting counsel is removed from that team, the accused will not be afforded a fair trial. The member of the team of the prosecuting counsel that I refer to is Mr WJ (Billy) Downer SC.”

Singh said in his papers that he wishes to “lead evidence in limine in the matter of the question of whether the Court should not order that Adv WJ Downer SC is interdicted from taking any further part in the criminal trial of State v Zuma and Two Others.”

He withdrew the application as the State filed its notice to oppose it.

The legal battle between Singh and the Scorpions dates back to 1999 when Singh was seconded to the Investigating Directorate for Organised Crime and Public Safety in KwaZulu-Natal. The directorate, headed by Chris MacAdam, later formed part of the Scorpions.

Singh was subsequently expelled, arrested, charged and prosecuted on 12 counts of defeating or obstructing the course of justice, unauthorised disclosure of information, making a false statement under oath and contravening sections of the Protection of Information Act and the Interception and Monitoring Prohibition Act.

He won a permanent stay of prosecution when the trial magistrate ruled in 2003 that evidence against him had been obtained illegally.

Singh then launched a private prosecution against former national director of public prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka, KZN Scorpions head Clifford Marion and other senior officials of the National Prosecuting Authority, including Billy Downer – who prosecuted Schabir Shaik.

On August 4, 2006, Acting Judge Nigel Hollis dismissed Singh’s application, saying in a reserved judgment that Singh had failed to satisfy the necessary legal requirements for launching such a prosecution.

In a case that is currently before the Pietermaritzburg High Court, Singh is claiming R2.87 million from the minister of justice and constitutional development.

His claim is made up of R2.5 million for insult and R370,000 costs to defend himself from prosecution in relation to his being arrested and charged.

Someone once asked thess questions on this blog;

Does the ANC not have another person who can be the President instead of Zuma. Why is there a blind following of one man? So far I have not seen an answer to this mindbogging questions…