By: Sello Theletsane
Former President Jacob Zuma could not attend the prayer session organized by his foundation in Durban following threats of arrest.
The thousands of people who attended the event were left disappointed when the former president did not show up. Africa News Global was reliably informed that Zuma was looking forward to addressing his supporters but could not attend the event after he was threatened with arrest for violation of his parole conditions.
This came after supporters, dressed in their ANC and Umkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans’ Association (MKMVA) regalia, packed the People’s Park near the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.
Many of those in attendance carried placards with messages of support to Zuma. Others wore shirts written, “Welcome back home Jacob Zuma.”
The organizers also received messages of support from various sectors of society, including the United Democratic Movement president Bantu Holomisa. He also welcomed Nxamalala back to society even though he is not enjoying the full freedom.
“It is lamentable that government and its institutions are suffering from selective amnesia when it comes to putting people on trial. Even-handedness and fairness seem to have disappeared into thin air as the same rules do not seem to apply to everyone,” Holomisa said.
He added that South Africans deserve better as corruption has made our economy suffer; people are consequently unemployed, and others have lost and are losing their jobs.
He lashed out at the Zondo Commission into State Capture, which led to the incarceration of Zuma. The Constitutional Court ruled in favour of a motion brought by the Commission to have Zuma jailed for 18 months for being in contempt. Zuma had refused to testify in front of Deputy Chief Justice and Chairperson of the Commission Judge Raymond Zondo. Zuma requested he recuse himself, something Zondo refused to do.
Zuma’s arrested resulted in anarchy and looting in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. The scenes that followed resulted in the collapse of the economy and numerous lives lost.
“At the start, it was made as if the Zondo Commission of Inquiry was all about you, but we have come to learn so much more since then. As it turns out, many people must answer various questions about their deeds. That being said, we hope for the best for your future and for that of your loved ones,” Holomisa said.
