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Night vigil in Durban ahead of Zuma court appearance

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Pro Jacob Zuma songs are reverberating between the two Durban University of Technology campuses where SASCO-led students are preparing to make their way to the main night vigil at Albert Park in the city centre.

The night vigil has been organised by religious leaders, business fora and ordinary people in support of Zuma ahead of his Durban High Court appearance on Friday on 16 charges of corruption, racketeering and money laundering.

Some students – who marched from DUT to the night vigil at Albert Park in the city centre – say their show of support is about defending the gains of Zuma during his reign in the highest office.

Zuma’s son, Edward, is also part of the night vigil.

“He has been victimised and there is a witch-hunt which is hell-bent on tarnishing his image. It has lasted for decades and decades and clearly it is not going to end very soon because he is a champion of the Radical Economic Transformation, land expropriation without compensation. People who do not want to see that happen clearly took a decision that he had to leave office.”

About 2 000 people expected 

Organisers of the march in support of former President ahead of his appearance in the Durban High Court have reiterated that marchers must not wear African National Congress party regalia.

The night vigil will see a group of prominent religious leaders calling themselves the National Interfaith of South Africa, sharing the stage with Zuma’s supporters.

One of the organisers, Bishop TB Ngcobo says they will support Zuma without disrupting the court proceedings.

“We want to send the message that we must stop judging the people before the court of law, because now it’s a tendency in South Africa that people are being judged and rejected by people before the law.”

Police say they are expecting about 2 000 people to attend the vigil in Albert Park to pray and support Zuma.

“Zuma is a member of the ANC in good standing. So he needs support of his own organisation and that is why we are going to support him as members of the ANC. Besides that as the members of the clergy because we have social and ethical obligation to support him. All members of the ANC, have to attend and we are emphasizing yes they must not wear the ANC regalia as they have been instructed,” says National Interfaith of South Africa’s Bishop Vusi Dube.

Charges against Zuma

Zuma was deputy president at the time of the 1990s arms deal, which has cast a shadow over politics in South Africa for years.

Schabir Shaikh, his former financial adviser, was found guilty and jailed in 2005 for trying to solicit bribes for Zuma from a French arms company.

Charges were filed against Zuma but then dropped by national prosecutors shortly before he successfully ran for president in 2009.

Since his election nine years ago, his opponents have fought a lengthy legal battle to have the charges reinstated.

Zuma countered with his own legal challenges, but prosecutors re-filed the charges after Zuma was forced from power by his own party in February.

Roads closures

Law enforcement will also be out in full force. EThekwini Metro Police says roads outside the Durban High Court – Margaret Mncadi Avenue the old Victoria Embarkment will be closed on Friday when former President Jacob Zuma appears in court.

Traffic is also expected to be disrupted by a pro-Zuma march.

The march is to proceed along Dr Pixley ka Seme street, West Street and to Yusuf Dadoo formerly known as Broad street. The marchers will then assemble opposite the High Court. Road closures will be in place from 6 o’clock in the morning.

Metro police media liaison officer Glen Ndlovu says,

“The public are urged to treat Margaret Mncadi as being closed both directions between Joe Slovo and Russel Street. Because the marchers, supporters of Mr Zuma will be accommodated on the grassy area opposite the court. The March will be policed by metro police personnel and SAPS public policing unit. March itself is scheduled to leave at 8 o’clock at King Dinuzulu and then proceed along Dr Picley ka Seme.”

-Additional reporting by Reuters

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