The ruling African National Congress (ANC) yesterday said that it respected the decision of the Supreme Court of Appeal in the Jacob Zuma trial, but reiterated that the judgement would not affect its decision to have Jacob Zuma as its presidential candidate for this year's election. The party stated that the decision taken by ANC members would not be reversed on the basis of "allegations that have not been tested in court".

The statement was released in the party's daily newsletter ANC Today.

The party reminded readers of the constitutional prescription that an accused person was presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The ANC said that some South Africans evidently feel that Zuma was at least tainted by the charges against him. In response, the party asserted that South Africa was bound in terms of the Bill of Rights to accept that the presumption of innocence is not partial or discretionary.

The ANC emphasised that it sought no special treatment for its President, asking only that he be treated fairly and justly.