Zuma laudable but he must step down now

Jacob Zuma’s confirmation that the ANC has leaders who can step in if he is convicted and that he won’t be using the presidency to quash the charges against him is of course commendable but doesn’t alter the fact that he should step down now.

The country and the party should not be fielding a candidate who is facing charges of corruption and particularly where crime is one of the key issues of this election.

As I have repeatedly pointed out the ANC president is innocent until proven guilty and must be treated as such. This of course does not detract from the fact that as things stand for him now, his candidacy is unsuitable for the highest office in the land. A presidential candidate innocent but facing charges of corruption should withdraw his candidacy pending the outcome of the resolution of those charges.

In terms of the party it smacks of expedience on the part of some who would rather back the horse that is doped but will win them money than field another clean horse but whom they might not have a stake in. It becomes ludicrous when regard is had to the fact that the ANC has been in power for nearly 15 years and cannot move away from an individual personality no matter the circumstances.

When the delegates at Polokwane chose Zuma he was not facing charges — he is now.

In order to try and expedite matters and give those delegates their choice of candidate I called for a political solution. That has not happened. Instead there are representations and applications pending, which might well be followed by the trial. As of today the matter is headed for trial

Accordingly for a country of South Africa’s size and stature, to be voting in a president facing those particular charges is untenable. It sends out all the wrong signals to the international community — that we are prepared to vote in a president who may be corrupt, that vested interest trumps morality and that personality issues are more important than substance.

When one has regard to the growing calls for an arms-deal inquiry, in respect of which Zuma will be one of the parties under the microscope, his candidacy becomes the wrong decision at the wrong time and for the wrong reasons. It really does not make sense for either party or country regardless of how popular he might be among the grassroots right now.

The ANC needs to reassess the decision, accept that if Zuma is cleared they can run him for president next time around and then bring in the alternative now.