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As the South African National Civic Organization Youth Congress remains firmly behind President Jacob Zuma who is being persecuted and unfairly treated by a democratic government he fought for after having sacrificed his youth.

Today, we noted that the concocted arms deal trial has been postponed to the beginning of the Women’s Month, the 1st August 2022.  As young dwellers, our hearts are with the First Lady Mama MaKhumalo, who has witnessed injustices meted out against her husband by both the apartheid government and a democratic government.

The fact that uBaba uZuma has been investigated and faced these trumped up charges since 2005, has heightened Mama MaKhumalo’s vulnerability to emotional distress. This adds to the  victimization and harassment she ensured under the apartheid government.

Many African families and wives of anti-apartheid activists, like Mama MaKhumalo were helpless when their loved ones were arrested, detained and tortured under the draconian security legislations passed to intimidate indigenous people and freedom fighters.

Mama MaKhumalo, as a woman from a deep rural area, suffered the most as she was poor and had no access to justice. She was helpless under apartheid and the reality is that she is still helpless under a democratic government.

She witnessed her husband being charged in 2005.

And she saw the National Prosecuting Authority being unable to proceed with prosecution that led the case being thrown out of court by the late KwaZulu-Natal Judge President Herbert Qedusizi Msimang.

Mama MaKhumalo further witnessed her husband’s offices and that of his lawyers being raided by the Scorpions. This illegal act by the Scorpions was successfully challenged in court, which declared the searches to be unlawful.

It was the NPA that appealed.

Importantly, each time the NPA and Scorpions lost a case against Zuma it was acceptable to take matters to a higher court. Yet if Zuma did the same, he has always been accused of delaying court appearances.

We salute him for instructing his legal team to approach the Supreme Court of Appeal to reconsider his application to remove state prosecutor Billy Downer from this case. He must continue to exercize his rights at all times because this is what he fought for throughout his life. 

It is important to point out that Zuma has repeatedly pointed out that he does not fear appearing in any court of law. It should be remembered that Zuma was unfairly jailed without trial.

His fundamental rights, as a citizen and a pensioner, are being violated by the justice system which appears to be involved in his political persecution.

We remain firmly behind you Msholozi !!!

Issued by the South African National Civic Organization Youth Congress