Zuma will take case to highest court - Report

Zuma is seen as frontrunner to succeed President Thabo Mbeki in 2009

ANC President Jacob Zuma said he would fight to the bitter end in the highest court to prove that he is innocent and did not commit any crime, Beeld reported today.

He was deeply suspicious that senior members of the government were playing an important role in his indictment on 16 charges which included allegations of racketeering, corruption, money laundering and fraud, he said, but did not name anybody.

Responding to a warning by the KwaZulu-Natal office of the Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) that there would be chaos if he did have to appear in court, Zuma said: "No, no, no.

"That is exactly what I don't want. I don't want people to die or that shops and vehicles be set alight. I want no violence.

"I understand people's anger, because even I am deeply upset over the latest move by the NPA [National Prosecuting Authority]. But there are other legal ways that people can air their views and express their feelings and give expression to their unhappiness," Zuma was reported as saying.

"Violence is not the answer and I will never approve of it. I call on all of them to remain calm and abide by the law." - Sapa