Zuma - Again

President Mbeki is to address Parliament tomorrow (Tuesday, 14 June) on the implications of the recent guilty verdict in the Shaik corruption and fraud case. In this matter Judge Hillary Squires found that there was a corrupt relationship between Schabir Shaik and Deputy President Jacob Zuma.

The President will have to express himself on how the judgement affects the standing and status of his Deputy.

Mbeki will possibly say that as Zuma has not been charged and brought to trial he must be assumed to be innocent until proven to the contrary. The likelihood of charges being laid against Zuma seems unlikely as there is an influential faction within the ANC who are opposed to him succeeding Mbeki. This may seem a contradiction but a trial and possible ‘not guilty’ verdict would immediately canonise Zuma and assure his advancement to the Presidency. This is something his detractors are unlikely to risk. Rather leave doubt clinging and allow it to mutate and ferment; a safer method of tarnishing his reputation and ambitions of reaching the highest office.

With this in mind President Mbeki will utter the predictable homilies about the integrity of the judicial system and the rule of law. Dismiss Zuma? I think not. Mbeki will maintain the status quo to appease those who support Jacob Zuma and avert open dissention.

Why do otherwise? The trial of Schabir Shaik has already done the real job of removing Jacob Zuma from the contest for the office of President.