Category Archives: Jacob Zuma

South African tycoon accused of bribery killed in car crash

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Gavin Watson was at the centre of claims of systematic graft involving leading ANC figures

Opposition politicians in South Africa are calling for a “thorough and transparent” investigation into a car crash that killed a controversial South African businessman accused of bribing dozens of top government officials.

Gavin Watson, 71, died when his Toyota Corolla hit a concrete bridge support in Johannesburg in the early hours of Monday morning as he was travelling alone to the city’s international airport.

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Jacob Zuma refuses to testify before major corruption inquiry

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Former South African president claims he was treated unfairly during cross-examination

The former South African president Jacob Zuma has refused to testify before a major corruption inquiry, claiming he was being questioned unfairly.

Zuma was scheduled to give evidence throughout the week. But when the court reconvened on Friday morning after a 48-hour adjournment at his request, the 77-year-old’s politician’s lawyer, Muzi Sikhakhane, said he would take no further part in proceedings.

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Zuma tells South Africa corruption inquiry he is victim of foreign plot

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Former president faces allegations he presided over vast corruption network

South Africa’s former president Jacob Zuma has told a judicial inquiry into corruption allegations that he is the victim of a plot by foreign intelligence agencies to seek his downfall.

Speaking on the first day of five days of testimony, Zuma denied he had presided over an immense system of corruption and patronage that drained billions from the country’s exchequer.

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Jacob Zuma relishes his day in court as Cyril Ramaphosa faces ‘very dark hour’

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As South Africa’s former president appears before a corruption inquiry, there are fears he could stir up trouble for his successor

Jacob Zuma, South Africa’s former president, will make an unprecedented appearance before a judicial inquiry for a five-day grilling this week over corruption allegations relating to his years in power.

Zuma has been accused of presiding over an immense system of corruption and patronage that drained billions from the exchequer and damaged the reputation of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) beyond repair.

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ANC corruption is a major cause of South Africa’s failure – and the polls will show it | William Gumede

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The post-apartheid consensus has collapsed. The ANC must renew itself, or become a spent force

When South Africans go to the polls today, it could be the last time the governing ANC wins an overall majority, unless the party renews itself and starts delivering on its promises to increasingly disgruntled supporters. The ANC is likely to win the national elections but its majority will take a hit and it may struggle to win, or have to share power in some of the provinces. After 25 years in power, the party’s popularity is lower than the personal popularity enjoyed by President Cyril Ramaphosa. If Ramaphosa was not also the head of the ANC, it is very likely that it would be heading for defeat this week. Large numbers of ANC supporters have entirely given up hope, both on the party of liberation being able to deliver a better life for them and on South Africa’s post-apartheid democratic institutions.

Even if the ANC wins today’s election, it will be unable to deliver a better life for those who voted for it

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Jacob Zuma’s plan to record album provokes anger in South Africa

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Album of apartheid-era songs sung by ex-president labelled a waste of taxpayers’ money

The former South African president Jacob Zuma’s plan to record an album of apartheid-era struggle songs has provoked a political row as opposition politicians labelled the project a taxpayer-funded waste of money.

Zuma, ousted last year amid multiple fraud scandals, is famed for his baritone singing voice and regularly bursts into song at rallies for the ruling African National Congress party (ANC) and at public events.

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