Notes from the Cape

Today is a sad day for South African democracy. It is because we will never know if Jacob Zuma, the man who will most likely be our next president is guilty or innocent of corruption. This is because the case will never go to court. This case involves 16 counts of curruption, and over 200 witnesses. The truth will never be known.

Fact:

• The NPA said that it is “neither possible nor desirable” to prosecute Zuma.
• The person accused of bribing Zuma, Schabir Shaik was convicted (he was recently released on medical parole).
• The NPA have dropped all charges after over 7 years of investigation.
• Head of the DA, Helen Zille was barred from entering the NPA offices, or from attending the press conference.
• Head of the ID, Patricia de Lille was barred from entering the NPA offices, or from attending the press conference.

Opinion:

• The NPA have acted as prosecution, judge and jury.
• It is very convenient that just 2 1/2 weeks before national elections, all charges are dropped.
• Why were the heads of two of the strongest oposition parties denied access to a public press conference?
• Why did the case (which was supposedly so strong) dropped?
• Why can the person presenting a bribe be convicted, while the person (allegedly) receiving it, goes free?

It is a sad day for South African democracy.