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The prospect of ANC Deputy President Jacob Zuma becoming president is profoundly concerning, Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille said on Monday.

Speaking at a press conference at Parliament to release the Democratic Alliance (DA)'s annual "report card" on the performance of Cabinet ministers, she said the African National Congress (ANC) succession battle was the defining characteristic of Cabinet's performance this year, from the President down.

While Zuma is obviously not included in the card, Zille made no bones about her concern at the prospect of him becoming president of the country.

Three things were particularly worrying, she said. Zuma had never told the public what his policies were, should he
become president and had always "ducked" questions in this regard. He had never laid his policies on the table and promoted or defended them, but simply said what his particular audience at the time had wanted to hear. So, Zuma's policies were still unknown, but his "judgement in critical situations" and what "constituencies he owes favours to" were indeed known."Put these [three things] together, and there is cause for profound concern," Zille said.

The country needed a leader who understood and defended the Constitution and its values. While she was reluctant to name who she thought would fit the bill, she eventually said they would include Deputy President Phumzile
Mlambo-Ngcuka, Finance Minister Trevor Manuel, and businessman Cyril Ramaphosa.

Zille said it was absolutely essential that Zuma go to trial so that his innocence or guilt of the allegations against him could be proven.

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