Zille: Law must pursue other ANC leaders

2 July 2010, 20:31

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DA leader Helen Zille called for the prosecution of more ANC leaders in the aftermath of Friday's conviction of former police chief Jackie Selebi on a corruption charge.

"The law has now taken its course. That it is the proper way for the justice system to function in a constitutional democracy. It is for the courts to decide, after hearing all the evidence, whether a case has been proven beyond reasonable doubt," said Zille in a statement.

"It is now time for the many other senior ANC politicians, not least President Jacob Zuma, who still have unanswered questions about corruption hanging over their heads, to also have their day in court."

Selebi was found guilty of corruption in the High Court in Johannesburg on Friday, but acquitted on a charge of defeating the ends of justice.

Zille claimed the withdrawal of charges against politicians like Zuma was evidence of interference in the legal process.

The ANC saw Friday's ruling as evidence of the high standard of the country's judicial system.

"The ANC is of the view that the law has taken its course and again, as part of the South African community, we reiterate our confidence in our judicial system," ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu said in a statement.

The judgment clearly indicated South Africa was governed by laws applied without fear or favour to anyone, regardless of their standing, said Mthembu.

"We [are] proud that our judicial system can stand amongst the best in the world."

ANC alliance partner, the Congress of SA Trade Unions said the verdict would send the "correct signal" to the powerful in society that no one was above the law.

"The conviction of such a high-profile and powerful personality will go a long way to communicate a message to all police personnel and all South Africans that crime and corruption do not pay," said spokesman Patrick Craven.

The Freedom Front Plus, Inkatha Freedom Party, Independent Democrats and African Christian Democratic Party commended the successful prosecution of Selebi.

The FF Plus said the Selebi case had seriously damaged South Africa and its reputation abroad. Party leader Pieter Mulder said they had in 2006 requested then president Thabo Mbeki to appoint a judicial commission to investigate allegations of Selebi's involvement with organised crime.

"If Mbeki had acted earlier, the state could have saved millions of rands and the case could already have been concluded."

The guilty verdict sent a strong message to that corruption in the government would not be tolerated.

His sentiments were echoed by ID leader Patricia de Lille who said: "This sends out a very strong message to all the corrupt leaders in our country that no one is above the law".

She said the court had proven again that where there was corruption on the part of leaders, and those cases made it into the courts, justice would be delivered.

"The fact that the judge made it very clear that [former National Prosecuting Authority boss] Vusi Pikoli's evidence was impeccable means that once again Pikoli has been vindicated and he has been shown to be a man of integrity."

ACDP spokesman Steve Swart commended the NPA for acting independently, free from political interference and "without fear, favour or prejudice".

"It is regrettable that the level of corruption in our nation reached right up to the level of national police commissioner. This is a severe embarrassment to our nation at a time when the eyes of the world are on South Africa during the Fifa World Cup, particularly because Selebi was not only our police chief, but also president of Interpol."

Inkatha Freedom Party safety spokesman Velaphi Ndlovu said the court ruling had in some way improved the image of the tarnished SA Police Service.

"The SAPS suffered a great deal of damage to its reputation as a result of the Selebi trial. The IFP feels that the corruption conviction has repaired some of the damage inflicted on the SAPS.

"Today's verdict is a victory for South Africa's fight against crime and corruption."

The IFP said it was pleased with the work by the NPA and the judiciary.

"We are most satisfied." - Sapa

Saturday Star

Comments by Sonny

The time has come to prosecute all law breakers.

Especially all the ANC members who are exploiting the poor in SA!

NOBODY IS ABOVE THE LAW, NOW EVEN PRESIDENT ZUMA!

Jackie Selebi, the first Interpol President has shamed SA!