S Africa's Zuma calls for unity
Friday, 21 Dec 2007 09:53
Mr Zuma was dismissed as deputy president in 2005 over corruption allegations
The newly-elected head of South
Africa's main political party, Jacob Zuma, has called for unity amid corruption allegations against him.
Yesterday, South Africa's chief prosecutor said there was enough evidence against the African National Congress (ANC) leader to begin court proceedings against him.
Incumbent president Thabo Mbeki was recently defeated by Mr Zuma in elections held to decide the party's next leader. Supporters of the new ANC head believe that the latest move is part of a conspiracy by a disgruntled Mr Mbeki to curb his rival's power.
In his speech to the party, Mr Zuma vowed to work with the president and said personal differences would not be allowed to harm the ANC.
In previous comments at a press conference, Mr Zuma protested his innocence and asked why the charges against him had been brought into the open.
He told journalists: "I was threatened to be charged in public. There were things said about me… I was being asked in public about allegations against me and I said: 'If I have to answer any allegations I will do that in court'."
Mr Mbeki is scheduled to step down as the country's head of state in 2009 meaning that Mr Zuma would be the presidential candidate of the party, which has been ruling the country since the end of Apartheid in 1994.
However, national prosecuting authority director Mokotedi Mpshe has said that the new ANC leader could be prosecuted "imminently" over a corruption scandal.
Corruption allegations resulted in Mr Zuma being sacked as prime minister by Mr Mbeki in 2005 and the subsequent trial resulted in the conviction of one of Mr Zuma's advisers.
Had Mr Mbeki won the ANC leadership again he would have been in a strong position to pick his successor.
Some commentators say Mr Zuma's election could prove divisive for South Africa as the former vice president has been a focal point for opposition to Mr Mbeki since he was sacked in 2005.
Mr Zuma has been attacked by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and last year was acquitted of rape charges.