WARNING: This is Version 1 of my old archive, so Photos will NOT work and many links will NOT work. But you can find articles by searching on the Titles. There is a lot of information in this archive. Use the SEARCH BAR at the top right. Prior to December 2012; I was a pro-Christian type of Conservative. I was unaware of the mass of Jewish lies in history, especially the lies regarding WW2 and Hitler. So in here you will find pro-Jewish and pro-Israel material. I was definitely WRONG about the Boeremag and Janusz Walus. They were for real.
Original Post Date: 2008-01-08 Time: 00:00:00 Posted By: Jan
Shop owners and businesses in Pietermaritzburg are concerned about the prospects of violence breaking out when ANC president Jacob Zuma makes his court appearance in the city in August.
They recall that when Zuma had to appear in court two years ago, hundreds of his supporters thronged the streets and many shop owners were forced to close for fear of violence and intimidation.
Their fears come in the wake of KZN Cosatu leader Zet Luzipho’s statement that “blood would be spilled” and the country thrown into chaos if Zuma is forced to appear in court after the National Prosecuting Authority re-charged him last week with fraud, corruption and racketeering .
Luzipho’s statement was later withdrawn by Patrick Craven, Cosatu’s national spokesperson, who said the organisation would not resort to any violence. Zuma himself has appealed for calm and discipline among supporters, saying that on no account should there be violence “because of these charges against me”.
“I know why people are so angry on my behalf. But there are other ways, legal ways, with which to deal with such matters,” Zuma told his supporters on Friday.
The concerns however remain among Pietermaritzburg residents who say if Zuma’s last court appearance in the city is anything to go by, this time will be “far worse”.
Sibongiseni Dladla, who owns an eatery in Pietermaritz Street, said he hoped he would not have to close his doors to the public when the trial starts, as he had to do for Zuma’s last court appearance.
Ashen Dorasamy, a businessman whose premises are located in Church Street, a few metres away from the High Court, said he and other businesses around him were bracing themselves for a “torrid time” come August.
“Zuma supporters are not afraid to make their feelings known. We are tense here. If violence erupts, we do not know how to handle it,” he said.
At Zuma’s fraud and corruption trial in July 2006, hordes of his supporters thronged the streets of Pietermaritzburg, with the majority of businesses and shops in the city centre having to shut their doors to the public. A heavy police presence was evident and no major incidents were reported.
At that trial, the fraud and corruption charges against Zuma, Thint Limited and Thint (Pty) were withdrawn after trial Judge Herbert Msimang dismissed the State’s application for an adjournment, and the case was struck off the roll.
Meanwhile, the DA has hailed the intervention of respected South African legal practitioners George Bizos SC and former Chief Justice Arthur Chaskalson who have jointly called on the public to respect the country’s judiciary and not to criticise the courts in connection with Zuma.
“It is reckless to make inciting public statements about ‘blood that will flow’. Jacob Zuma did the right thing to distance himself from this statement and we welcome the announcement by Cosatu spokesperson Patrick Craven in which he withdrew Zet Luzipho’s statement in the matter,” said the DA in a statement. The party urged Zuma to emphasise this sentiment when he delivers his president’s special message at the ANC birthday celebrations later this week.
“The political landscape has undergone a dramatic change and the very least that voters should be able to expect from the ruling party is the assurance of stability regarding their safety, their investments and the fact that everyone is equal before the courts.”