[I remain suspicious of this whole Shabir Shaik-and-Zuma affair. This morning when I was driving into town, newspapers like THE STAR had enormous headlines “Zuma Axed” – and yet, Mbeki did not actually fire Zuma until later this afternoon. It is as if the journalists have been gtting conveniently leaked information up front so as to reduce the shock of Mbeki’s announcement.

I still believe that Mbeki was out to nail Zuma right from the beginning. They all trumpeted it loudly that a man is innocent until proven guilty, but Zuma has not been formally charged yet, nor has he even been in court. To me it is as if they couldn’t wait to get rid of him. I still think this is a plot by Mbeki himself.

It will be most interesting to see what comes of this – and whether Zuma will one day exact his revenge on Mbeki.

Note, the news story below mentions the ANC’s TRIPARTITE Alliance – which includes the trade unions and the S.African Communist Party! These three groups all work hand-in-glove. Jan]

President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa has relieved the country’s deputy president, Jacob Zuma, of his post.

Mbeki announced this to a joint sitting of South Africa’s parliament in Cape Town today. His move came in the wake of the conviction of Zuma’s financial advisor, Schabir Shaik, on charges of corruption and fraud last week.

Mbeki said he took into account the basic pillars of South African jurisprudence, including the presumption that someone was innocent until proven guilty. Zuma – who was not charged in the trail of Shaik – “has yet to have his day in court.” Mbeki also noted that Shaik was taking his case on appeal and that it was possible the judgement might be overturned.

“However, as President of the Republic I have come to the conclusion that the circumstances dictate that in the interest of the Honourable Deputy President, the Government, our young democratic system, and our country, it would be best to release the Hon Jacob Zuma from his responsibilities as Deputy President of the Republic and Member of the Cabinet.”

Mbeki’s announcement brought to an end a week of intense speculation and debate in South African public life and within the ranks of the tripartite alliance of the ruling African National Congress, the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the South African Communist Party.

Source: AllAfrica.Com
URL: http://allafrica.com/stories/200506140114.htm…/p>